The T&T Red Steel continued their CPL horror story at Kensington Oval in Barbados, when they were crushed by eight wickets by the Barbados Tridents on Thursday night.
Playing at the same venue in 2013 Red Steel was bowled out for just 52 runs. On Thursday night they did a little better but the 95 for nine off 20 overs did not trouble the Tridents as they raced to victory to move to the top of the standings with three victories from three matches.
Sri Lankan Dishan Munaweera and hometown hero Dwayne Smith rattled the Red Steel bowlers in an opening stand of 73 in 9.2 overs. Both men attacked and gave the 12,000 strong crowd great entertainment. Sulieman Benn then made a double strike in two balls, sending back Munaweera and Smith. Munaweera fell for 39 off 28 balls with five fours and two sixes, while Smith made 33 off 29 balls with four fours and a six. Victory was soon formalised as the home team reached 98 for two with six overs and five balls.
Earlier, T&T Red Steel won the toss and decided to take first strike more in an effort to throw Barbados Tridents off their game, as they had batted well twice so far in the tournament.
This seemed to work against the men in Red, as the bouncy pitch proved to be their downfall. Before their travelling supporters could have collected their drink of choice, the three foreign imports were back in the dugout. Cameron Delport was removed by Jason Holder, while the big fish Jacques Kallis went to Ravi Rampaul. Pakistani Kamran Akmal then followed playing half pull, to Jeevan Mendis off Holder. One for one, two for two, three for three, looked more like a composition by Red Plastic Bag but it was the sorry score at the park. Holder wasn't done yet and made it four for three, as he took care of Darren Bravo with one that bounced more and took the edge to Tobago's Navin Stewart at slip.
Jason Mohammed, the man for a crisis was in, and he and saw the downfall of William Perkins for 13 via the run out route. Five for 20 and the game was as good as over. Dwayne Bravo came and looked good, hitting the ball sweetly in adding 46 for the sixth wicket with Mohammed. He reached 30 before getting out to the worst ball of the night. It took the best catch of the night to finish, as Stewart leapt full length into the air top pluck the ball at mid off. Bravo faced 28 balls and struck four fours and a six in his cameo.
Mohammed then gifted his wicket for 20 off 27 balls with three fours and the best Red Steel could have hoped for from that point was batting out the overs, which they did finishing on 95 for nine off their 20 overs. Holder finished with 3/11 off four overs.