The Jamaica Tallawahs all but assured themselves of a place in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Playoffs following a comprehensive 122-run victory over the Saint Lucia Kings.
The Tallawahs were hampered by the enforced absence of captain Brandon King, but Alex Hales stepped up to the plate to blaze his way to his highest individual T20 career score of 119 not out.
Hales and Imad Wasim put together a magnificent partnership of 116 from 52 balls to help set a target of 202 to win.
The Kings were never in the game from that moment and the Tallawahs wrapped up victory inside 15 overs, bowling the Kings out for 79.
Mohammed Amir and Chris Green were the stars of the show with the ball, taking four wickets each.
The win was a huge one for the Tallawahs, as it puts them in a strong position to finish in the top four and secure a playoff spot. Barbados Royals (5th in the points table) will play their final group-stage match against the Guyana Amazon Warriors on Monday, but they will need to lose heavily in order to make their place in the playoffs, otherwise, Tallawahs are confirmed in the playoffs.
The Tallawahs will be hoping to build on their momentum and make a deep run in the playoffs. They are one of the most talented teams in the competition, and they will be confident of their chances of winning the title.
Brief Scorecard
Jamaica Tallawahs 201/5 (Hales 119*, Wasim 41; Chase 2/33, Joseph 1/28)
Saint Lucia Kings 79 (Rajapaksa 22, Forde 13; Green 4/15, Amir 2/17)
Result: Jamaica Tallawahs won by 122 runs
