10:49pm Right. That brings us to the end of our coverage for this game. Just one more match remains before we find out who will face the Trinbago Knight Riders in the summit clash. Do join us for Qualifier 2 on Friday between the Guyana Amazon Warriors and the Jamaica Tallawahs. Until next time, this is me (Shashwat) saying goodbye on behalf of Binoy George and everyone else at ESPNcricinfo. Take care!

Kieron Pollard, Trinbago Knight Riders captain: (What made the difference) I think proper planning. Kudos to the backroom staff. The way we went about planning for Guyana, and to come out and execute like this. (Who led the way with the ball) I don't want to single out anyone. When we played the last game against the Warriors, we gave guys an opportunity. The guys bowled as one and we must commend the bowling unit entirely. (Message before the run-chase) It was simple. If we batted well, we knew we would get there. They were 20-25 runs short. Walton coming in for Guptill, taking his chance, scoring 75 (80) and taking the chase through - that shows the confidence we have in him. (Thoughts on the final) I have not thought about it yet. For us, the next 24 hours is to bask in our glory and acknowledge what we have accomplished. After that, we will think about the final.

Romario Shepherd, standing in as Guyana Amazon Warriors captain: (On where the game was lost) They bowled well to us, especially in the powerplay. Tactically they were good. I think we were 20 runs short. With the bowlers we had, we thought we could have defended 167. Walton batted well, a few chances went down. (On Smith now bowling) The captain decided to leave him out from the bowling attack tonight. It happens sometimes. Especially when you have 167 on the board and on a wet outfield. (On plans against the Tallawahs) We will try to get a good total on the board that we can actually defend.

Chadwick Walton, Player of the Match: (On turning up in big games) First of all, I would like to say thanks to the players and coaches for having confidence in me. Treated this as just another game. It was an emotional half-century. Been a while since I got a fifty. Kudos to the guys who trusted me. (On how it feels to make the final) If we win the final, it will feel much better (smiles).

10:31pm The Knight Riders have finally beaten the Warriors this season, and it has come when a place in the final was on the line. Walton was the star of the run-chase, notching up a 57-ball 80 that broke the back of the run-chase and kept the Knight Riders ahead at all times. Pooran and Pollard also did their bit, as did Deyal, and the clinical nature of their batting meant that the Warriors never really had a sniff.

Plenty to ponder for the Warriors, though. They did not get the early wickets they were after. To compound their woes, they were also expensive with the new ball and that set the ball rolling for the Knight Riders. Their spinners could also not impact the game much and the lack of wickets through different phases ultimately cost them.

Because they finished in the top two, they will have another bite at the cherry. However, they will have to be much better than they were tonight if they are to get past the Jamaica Tallawahs on Friday.

18.1
1
Imran Tahir to Walton, 1 run, Walton seals the deal, rather fittingly! Back of a length on leg stump. Walton eases it down the ground and he has led the Knight Riders to yet another CPL final!

Tahir to bowl what will surely be the final over of this contest

END OF OVER:
18 | 12 Runs 1 Wkt | TKR: 166/3 (1 run required from 12 balls, RR: 9.22, RRR: 0.50)

  • Chadwick Walton79 (56b)
  • Andre Russell1 (2b)
  • Dwaine Pretorius4-0-36-2
  • Gudakesh Motie4-0-39-0
17.6
1
Pretorius to Walton, 1 run, short and wide outside off. Walton stabs it towards deep cover point and picks up a single. Scores level!
17.5
4
Pretorius to Walton, FOUR, oh dear! Slower delivery that lands in the slot outside off. Walton slices his lofted shot badly and for the longest time, it feels that Smith is under control at long off. He comes hurtling in for some reason, though, and then sees the ball loop over his head. To add to his woes, it bounces well inside the fence!
17.4
1
Pretorius to Russell, 1 run, off-pace and hung outside off. Russell chalks it off the toe-end towards long off and gets off the mark
17.4
1w
Pretorius to Russell, 1 wide, another length delivery well outside off. Russell lets it go as the umpire indulges in some more exercise
17.4
1w
Pretorius to Russell, 1 wide, full and way outside off. Russell almost swings himself off his feet. Does not make contact but the ball is wide enough to be called a wide
17.3
0
Pretorius to Russell, no run, back of a length outside off. Russell gets behind the line and plays a textbook defensive stroke. Well, they need less than run-a-ball...

Russell is in. Just nine needed to seal a spot in the final

17.2
W
Pretorius to Pollard, OUT, chops it on! Off-pace on a length outside off. Pollard looks at the length and thinks he can deposit it over long on. Does not pick the slower one, though, and is too early into his swing. Gets a thick inside edge that crashes into the stumps!

KA Pollard b Pretorius 23 (26m 15b 2x4 1x6) SR: 153.33

17.1
4
Pretorius to Pollard, FOUR, Pollard power! Half-volley just outside off stump. Pollard plants his front foot and whips it powerfully past mid wicket for four!

Pretorius to bowl out

Just 13 needed off 18 now. A section of the crowd has seen enough and is already wandering towards the exit. Sums up where the game is at...

END OF OVER:
17 | 18 Runs | TKR: 154/2 (13 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 9.05, RRR: 4.33)

  • Chadwick Walton74 (54b)
  • Kieron Pollard19 (13b)
  • Gudakesh Motie4-0-39-0
  • Romario Shepherd3-0-20-0
16.6
0
Motie to Walton, no run, length on middle and leg stump. Walton gets a big stride in before dead-batting it into the on side
16.5
0
Motie to Walton, no run, fired in on a length at the stumps. Walton defends it back to the bowler
16.4
6
Motie to Walton, SIX, wow! Just wow! Back of a length on middle and leg stump. Walton opens up his stance and smokes it over the bowler's head, off the back foot, for six!
16.3
4
Motie to Walton, FOUR, much better strike! In the slot on middle and off. Walton gives himself room and bludgeons it over the bowler's head for four!
16.2
6
Motie to Walton, SIX, Walton goes big! A slight drag-down on leg stump and that is all Walton needs. Hops back and muscles it just over the sweeper at deep mid wicket
16.1
2
Motie to Walton, 2 runs, edged! Length on leg stump. Walton swings at it and squirts it off the inside edge. The ball trickles past short fine leg for a brace

Motie back for his final over. Pollard and Walton might look to go after him. But that might open up a wicket-taking avenue too. Crucial six balls coming up...

END OF OVER:
16 | 8 Runs | TKR: 136/2 (31 runs required from 24 balls, RR: 8.50, RRR: 7.75)

  • Chadwick Walton56 (48b)
  • Kieron Pollard19 (13b)
  • Romario Shepherd3-0-20-0
  • Shamar Joseph4-0-39-0
15.6
1
Shepherd to Walton, 1 run, dug in short outside off. Walton is a little early into his pull and drags it towards deep backward square leg
15.5
1
Shepherd to Pollard, 1 run, back of a length outside off. Pollard opens his bat face and runs it down to third man

CPL News

Trinbago 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st41CAK WaltonM Deyal
2nd51CAK WaltonN Pooran
3rd66KA PollardCAK Walton
4th9AD RussellCAK Walton