At the end of the match Morgan Bravo stood at the pavilion gates a pleased man, greeting well wishers as both his sons played important roles and in the process took the T&T Red Steel to the second semi-finals of the 2015 Hero CPL T20 tournament at the Queen's Park Oval on Thursday night.
Firstly younger son Darren Bravo slammed an imperious unbeaten 84 to lead the Red Steel to a competitive 152/6 off their allotted 20 overs. Dwayne Bravo then stepped up with the ball, returning his best ever bowling performance in T20 cricket, taking 5/23 to stop Jamaica's easy run to the target. Today the Red Steel returns to the Oval looking to put a revenge licking on the Guyana Amazon Warriors to book a place in the finals against the Tridents tomorrow.
At one stage the Jamaicans were sitting pretty at 97/2 in the 14th over but Bravo induced a slide that saw them lose their last eight wickets for just 28 runs. The 'World Boss' Chris Gayle had given his team a rapid start, hammering 30 off 21 balls with three sixes and two fours. He was cut short by the clever off-spin bowling of Johan Botha. The struggling Mahela Jayawardene was then very unlucky to be given out caught at slip after replays showed that the bad hit is upper arm. He left at 66/2 but Chadwick Walton using forthright methods, found a similar ally in Jermaine Blackwood and they again took the game away from the Red Steel. Bravo then removed Blackwood for 23 off 22 balls and at this point wickets starting falling regularly and the game swung decisively in favour of the home team. Walton made 31 off 30 balls but that was really the only thing to write home about. Andre Russell was bowled neck and crop by Bravo and with him went the hope of the Tallawahs.
Earlier, Dwayne Bravo won the toss and decided to bat first, which has become customary from all captains in this tournament. However, within the 'powerplay' he would have rued his decision, as his team lost three quick wickets with just 18 runs on the board.
Cameron Delport opening the innings was bowled by Krishmar Santokie, the 'big fish' Jacques Kallis was caught off Jerome Taylor for six and Kamran Akmal also fell to Taylor for six. The big crowd on hand was kept very quiet as the Tallawahs were on the attack. Sensible batting was what the doctor prescribed and it came in the form of Darren Bravo and Jason Mohammed.
Using their experience to full effect, they were able to turn over the strike and most importantly put away the bad balls. As the fans consumed their choiced beverages, they started to get louder and there was reason to, as runs started to flow. The two added 80 runs off 10.1 overs before Mohammed fell for 28 off 25 balls, which included a six and two fours. Darren was still there to carry the hopes of his team and his brother Dwayne arrived. Normally they bat well together but Dwayne left Darren to do the job, as he walked back to the dugout for five. Darren did do the job and batted until the end, getting an unbeaten 86 off 63 balls with six sixes and four fours. This followed his unbeaten 80 and 40 at this venue last week.
SCOREBOARD
Red Steel vs Tallawahs
J Kallis c Russell b Taylor 6
C Delport b Santokie 1
K Akmal c Jayawardene b Taylor 6
DM Bravo not out 86
J Mohammed c Bonner b Deonarine 28
DJ Bravo c Lynn b Miller 5
K Cooper c & b Russell 9
J Botha not out 1
Extras 1lb, 9w 10
Total for six wkts (20ovs) 152
Fall of wkts: 3, 7, 18, 98, 121, 137.
Bowling: K Santokie 4-0-31-1, J Taylor 4-0-28-2, A Russell 4-0-30-1, N Deonarine 4-0-31-1, N Miller 4-0-31-1.
Tallawahs Inns
M Jayawardene c Kallis b Benn 16
C Gayle c & b Botha 30
C Walton b Cooper 31
J Blackwood c sub Searles b Bravo 23
A Russell b Bravo 6
C Lynn b Cooper 3
N Deonarine c Delport b Bravo 5
N Bonner b Bravo 7
K Santokie c Delport b Bravo 0
J Taylor b Kallis 2
N Miller not out 1
Extras lb1 1
Total all out (19.3ovs) 125
Fall of wkts: 38, 66, 97, 106, 110, 111, 117, 122, 122, 125.
Bowling: J Kallis 2.3-0-17-1, D Bravo 4-0-23-5, J Botha 2-0-14-1, S Benn 3-0-29-1, S Badree 3-0-14-0, D Davis 1-0-6-0, K Cooper 4-0-21-2.
Result: T&T Red Steel won by 27 runs.
T&T Red Steel plays Guyana in second semi-final.
Man of the match: Darren Bravo.