SLK VS JAM ELIMINATOR

Right then, that brings an end to what proved to be quite a one-sided Eliminator! Saint Lucia Kings will exit the tournament whereas Jamaica Tallawahs have progressed to Qualifier 2 of the Caribbean Premier League 2022. The action continues on Thursday 29th September as Jamaica Tallawahs lock horns with Guyana Amazon Warriors for a spot in the finals. That game will begin at 4.30 am IST (11.00 pm GMT, the previous day), but as you all know our build-up will begin in advance. So do join us then. Until then, it's goodbye and cheers.

Faf du Plessis the skipper of Saint Lucia Kings says that he would like some tips on how to play the delivery that dismissed him. Claims that 130 would have been par but they conceded 32 runs in the last two overs and that cost them the game. Adds that the wicket looked like it would get tougher as the game went on. Mentions that Kesrick Williams is a good death-over bowler and usually does a good job for them, but he had an off game today and Mohammad Nabi was hitting the ball well. Credits Johnson Charles for showing great ability in the tournament and says that they would have liked to bat the way they did in the first six games. Ends by saying that Alzarri Joseph has done really well in the competition, growing as a cricketer and will prove to be an asset for West Indian cricket with his guile and ability.

Rovman Powell the captain of Jamaica Tallawahs says it is an important night and credits the boys. Applauds Mohammad Nabi's performance with the bat. Claims that they believed at the innings break that they would be able to defend the target. Adds that there was spin on offer and with the number of spinners on their side they were in with a chance. Admits that the pitch was assisting them, the ball kept low and they learned from how the Saint Lucia Kings bowled. On the next game, he says they are ready and focused on the match and will be looking to improve further.

Mohammad Nabi is the Player of the Match for his bowling figures of 4-0-10-3 and 31 runs in just 15 deliveries. When asked about his catch to dismiss Roston Chase, he says that it was a good one and adds that he has performed well after a long time. Mentions that with the bat, the wicket wasn't easy so he targeted the last two overs and they were happy to get near 150. On his bowling, he says they stuck to the plan, the pitch didn't help the batters so he just tried to keep it tight. Claims that the crowd is amazing and hopes to perform well against Guyana Amazon Warriors in the next game.

Time for the presentations...

Saint Lucia Kings were well ahead in the game after winning the toss as they did well to restrict Jamaica Tallawahs in the first inning. Shamarh Brooks played well for his 47 but the impetus was provided by Mohammad Nabi who helped score most of 32 runs in the last 2 overs to take his team to a competitive total. Saint Lucia Kings lost momentum towards the end of their bowling effort and since then found it difficult to recover. David Weise claimed three wickets but just like most of their batters failed to make an impact and in the end, it was a disappointing reply.

Jamaica Tallawahs used just one fast bowler in the game and Mohammad Amir started wonderfully well claiming an early wicket to get his team off to a good start. After that, it was spinners all the way till the end and they exploited the conditions the pitch had to offer to perfection. Rovman Powell shuffled around his bowlers wonderfully well and Mohammad Nabi was the pick of the bowlers taking 3 wickets for just 10 runs in his full quota of four overs. Fabian Allen also contributed with three wickets taking two in his last two balls and the Pakistani duo of Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir chipped in with two wickets each. This was a perfect bowling performance by the victors and they will be going into the qualifier high in confidence.

Saint Lucia Kings got off to a disastrous start as they lost Johnson Charles early on his return to the team. They have usually gotten off to good starts with their openers and the wicket seemed to rock them hard. They kept losing wickets in quick succession after that even though the skipper Faf du Plessis continued to score at a brisk rate. When he was dismissed on 41 by a delivery that kept low, the target seemed a long distance away. Adam Hose tried to stabilize the innings but was dismissed in an attempt to accelerate the scoring. They had no response for the opposition spinners as just three batters were able to cross the double-figure score. Alzarri Joseph played a cameo of 28 runs in 18 balls towards the end, to make the defeat look not as bad as it was.

Who would have predicted this result with certainty at the halfway stage? This has been a clinical performance from Jamaica Tallawahs and they have cantered to a comfortable 33-run win to seal their spot in Qualifier 2 against Guyana Amazon Warriors. The spinners have dominated proceedings in the second half of the game which also comes as a massive surprise with considerable dew present across the outfield. Saint Lucia Kings have allowed a golden opportunity to slip past them as they have been eliminated from the competition and will have to analyze their batting performance in depth.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Kesrick Williams fails to negotiate the last ball! Jamaica Tallawahs win the game! This is full and wide outside off. Kesrick Williams looks to drive it without much conviction and gets an outside edge to the keeper, Kennar Lewis who pouches and celebrates. Alzarri Joseph is not at all happy. Jamaica Tallawahs win the game by 33 runs and proceed further in the competition.

A full toss, wide of off. Joseph drives it to deep cover for a single.

SIX! Joseph keeps the hope alive! Amir drops it short and on middle. Joseph shuffles and pulls it all the way over fine leg for a biggie. 14 runs off the over. Amir is not bowling to the field.

FOUR! Another boundary! A length ball, outside off. Joseph smashes it over point and wide of third man for four more.

Short of a length and on middle. Joseph miscues his pull shot to covers.

FOUR! Joseph refuses to give up! This is full and on the pads. Joseph tickles it fine past short fine leg for four.

Nabi ends his spell with 3 wickets while giving away just 10 runs. Absolutely magical! Tossed up, outside off. Kesrick Williams prods and defends.

Fuller ball on middle, flicked to mid-wicket for a single.

Kesrick Williams is the last batter for Saint Lucia Kings.