The 30th and final match of the 2016 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) qualifying phase, takes place on Sunday 31st July between the Jamaica Tallawahs and the St Lucia Zouks at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill, Florida.
The Tallawahs were already assured of their spot in Play-Off 1, even before they arrived in Florida for their last two fixtures, both schedule against the Zouks.
Perhaps the lack of pressure was the cause of their lacklustre performance against the Zouks on Saturday, when they slipped to just a second defeat of the 2016 campaign. However, that victory for the Zouks, saw them clinch their own place in the knockout phase of the tournament.
The Zouks win moved them onto 10 points, two behind the Warriors, and retaining a chance of advancing to meet the Tallawahs for a third time in 2016, in Play-Off 1. Should the Barbados Tridents upset the Warriors on Saturday’s second fixture, then a Zouks success would see them climb to finish second in the table.
The importance of Play-Off 1, is that the winners advance direct to the CPL Grand Final. The losers also benefit by being granted a second chance to play for the title, as they subsequently take on the winners of Play-Off 2.
Saturday’s victory was based on the start given to them by openers Johnson Charles and Andre Fletcher, both of whom posted half-centuries. A total of 206-3 was always going to challenge the Tallawahs, who needed a similarly bright start.
Despite Chris Gayle striking 2 sixes in the half dozen deliveries he faced, it was only Chadwick Walton with 54 who offered any extended resistance, as they managed a mere 143-8. Shane Shillingford bowling his four overs for just 17 runs, being the pick of the bowlers.
