McCullum fireworks lifts TKR to sixth straight win
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Brendon McCullum smashed a scintillating half-century as Trinbago Knight Riders trounced Jamaica Tallawahs by 36 runs to rattle off their sixth straight win in the Caribbean Premier League here Saturday night.
Sent in at Sabina Park, the visitors stormed to 208 for six off their 20 overs with New Zealander McCullum top-scoring with 91 off 62 balls and Colin Munro striking 42 from 24 deliveries. Seamers Rovman Powell (2-38) and Krishmar Santokie (2-49) claimed a brace of wickets each.
In reply, captain Kumar Sangakkara stroked 53 – his second straight half-century – but Tallawahs came up short at 172 for seven off their 20 overs.
Lendl Simmons chipped in with 32, Powell got 30 while seamer Javon Searles claimed three for 27.
With just one game left, TKR tops the standings on 16 points and can now focus on the playoffs as they now guaranteed to finish in the top position, regardless of the results of the remaining games.
Tallawahs, meanwhile, are third on 10 points, just one behind second placed St Kitts and Nevis Patriots but four clear of the fourth placed Guyana Amazon Warriors.
TKR had a less than impressive start when Sunil Narine perished off the first ball of the innings, mis-hitting a low Santokie full toss to mid-off.
However, McCullum took charge of the innings, belting five fours and six sixes as he provided the energy for two successive half-century stands.