McCullum condemns Tridents to second home loss as TKR go top

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Man-of-the-Match Brendon McCullum put Barbados Tridents to the sword with a ruthless half-century as Trinbago Knight Riders marched to the top of the Caribbean Premier League standings with an easy four-wicket win here Sunday night.
Asked to chase a paltry 129, TKR silenced the Kensington Oval crowd by reaching their target in the 17th over, with New Zealander McCullum top-scoring with 66 off 42 deliveries, to send Tridents to their second defeat in as many nights at the venue.
The match was in the balance at 60 for four in the 10th over, but McCullum counter-attacked, slamming eight fours and three sixes to erase any doubt over the final result.
Tridents had earlier extended their concerning malaise with the bat when they were held to 128 for eight off their 20 overs, after opting to bat first in their fifth match of the campaign and second at home.
Shai Hope, promoted to the opening slot, top-scored with 42 while left-hander Nicholas Pooan struck 34 and Jason Holder 30.
But leg-spinner, Fawad Ahmed (2-13), medium pacer Dwayne Bravo (2-23) and left-arm spinner Khary Pierre (2-29) all grabbed three wickets as Tridents stuttered and stumbled throughout their innings.
The victory moved TKR to eight points – ahead of second placed Jamaica Tallawahs only on net run rate – while Tridents remained fifth on four points with three defeats in their last four games.