Ever since inception almost a decade ago, there have been ten successful editions of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and only three teams have won a title on more than one occasion. One of them is Jamaica Tallawahs who made only two finals in this tournament, but they ended up winning both of them in CPL 2013 and CPL 2016 respectively.
While they’ve been a bit below average in recent seasons, they’ve been one of the most popular CPL franchises over the years and today, we’re throwing back to that first ever edition of the Caribbean T20 League, where Jamaica emerged victorious, beating Guyana Amazon Warriors in the CPL 2013 final, in a low-scoring match played at Port of Spain.
Throwback – Jamaica Tallawahs win CPL 2013
The day was 24 Aug 2013 and Tallawahs elected to field first after winning the toss against Guyana. Led by Chris Gayle in the CPL 2013 final, Jamaica completed a brilliant bowling performance that saw their opponents restricted to only 128/5 which is quite a low total in this format. While all the bowlers were economical, Gayle bowled himself for four overs and was the most expensive, ending with 1/42 in four overs.
And despite him leaking runs, his other bowlers did a fabulous job on the day and they were led by Jamaica’s very own David Bernard who opened the bowling and ended with amazing figures of 2/18 in four overs. Nikita Miller and Gayle also chipped in with one wicket each while Sri Lankan spin legend Muthiah Muralidaran ended his four overs with figures of 0/13, being super miserly in the CPL 2013 final.
SEE ALSO: List of top online sports betting websites
From the Guyana batsmen, only Lendl Simmons came to the party, with a somewhat anchor-like innings of 40(44) before he fell to Miller. It was always going to be easy work for the Tallawahs batsmen after this paltry batting performance by Guyana, and having to bowl to Gayle wasn’t going to help their cause either. It was a sticky pitch and they would’ve fancied their chances, but Gayle had other ideas on the day.
Guyana picked up the wickets of Chadwick Walton, Kumar Sangakkara, and Jermaine Blackwood early, and with the score at 67/3 in the 12th over, the game was actually hanging in the balance. However, Gayle played a captain’s knock and one which we must say was very unlike any Gayle innings we’ve seen. He didn’t hit a single six in his innings of 47(48)* but made sure he was there to guide them over the line.
Great way to finish off the comp. Thanks for the love and support from all #tallawahs supporters.#cpl2013 #champs pic.twitter.com/UF2GmKPZp0
— Vernon Philander (@VDP_24) August 25, 2013
At the other end, a young Andre Russell did some power hitting in a brief cameo of 33(18)* and that was good support to the ‘anchor’ Gayle. The southpaw hit 6 boundaries while Russell’s knock included five fours and a six, as Jamaica Tallawahs got over the line in 17.2 overs, going down in history as they became the first ever winners of the Caribbean Premier League, becoming the first to enter the CPL winners list.
The celebrations began after Jamaica won the CPL 2012 final and Gayle was deservingly awarded the Man of the Match, while left-arm pacer Krishmar Santokie won the player of the series award. He was brilliant right through CPL 2013 but in the final, he only managed 0/31 and him ending wicketless could’ve been the difference in that final that took place nearly ten years ago from today!
For similar sports and cricket updates from around the world, stay tuned to ReadScoops.com…
Register on 1xBet and get 100% first deposit bonus
