CPL: Jamaica Tallawahs cruise into play-offs after Hales’ century
A superb century from Englishman Alex Hales led Jamaica Tallawahs into the play-offs of the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), with a 122-run win over St Lucia Kings.
Playing at Providence under sweltering heat, and watched by mostly schoolchildren, Hales’ unbeaten 119 propelled Tallawahs to 201-5 in 20 overs, while Chris Green’s four-wicket haul restricted St Lucia Kings to 79 all out in 15 overs.
In the tall chase of 202, St Lucia Kings never got underway as only Bhanuka Rajapaksa (22); Matthew Forde (13) and Alzarri Joseph (10) were the only Kings batters to reach double figures.
Tallawahs celebrate their big win
Kings had a new-look opening pair of Leonardo Julien (07) and Roshon Primus (05). Mohammad Amir was all class as he dismissed both batters. After that, it was the Green show. Stand-in captain Imad Wasim and Hayden Walsh Jr then strangled the Kings men with tight bowling.
Green claimed 4-15 from four overs while Wasim had 2-24, including one maiden. Amir bowled two testing overs for seven runs and claimed two wickets in a complete bowling effort.
Alex Hales was in supreme form during his unbeaten century
Earlier, St Lucia Kings won the toss and opted to bowl first. Wasim was leading the Tallawahs in the absence of Brandon King. Hales and Kirk McKenzie added 44 runs in 5.2 overs, with Hales dominating the scoring. McKenzie struggled to three from 12 balls, as Tallawahs posted 46 runs in the power play.
Steven Taylor, playing his first match of the season, managed 14 from 18 balls and Shamarh Brooks made 13 from eight balls. Tallawahs were 84-3 in 11.1 overs, when Wasim partnered Hales. The dynamic duo took Kings bowling to the cleaners and the Englishman reached his century from 47 balls.
Roston Chase claimed two early wickets for Kings
Roston Chase, who picked up early wickets, was taken to the ropes when Hales slammed him for three sixes in three balls in the 14th over. The right-hander continued to dominate, taking 22 runs off Matthew Forde’s final over, reaching his seventh T20 century with a boundary down the ground.
Prior to this game, Hales’ best score in the 2023 CPL was 21, and in a big game of such, he stepped up when his team needed him the most. Wasim had slammed three sixes and three fours in his 24-ball 41 while Fabian Allen was run out for one.
Hales remained unbeaten on 119 from 57 balls, an innings laced with seven sixes and 12 fours. Chase had 2-33 on a hot day for the bowlers. Jamaica Tallawahs and St Lucia Kings will be in action on Tuesday, September 19 in the Eliminator from 19:00h at Providence.
