COLIN Munro enjoyed a triumphant return to the Trinbago Knight Riders, scoring a record-breaking century in his first game back with the CPL team he had represented for seven years until 2022.
He smashed 120 off 57 balls – no TKR batter has made more – to set up a total of 231, which paved the way to a 12-run victory over St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.
(Trinbago Knight Riders 231 for 5 (Munro 120, Hales 47, Holder 2-40) beat St Kitts and Nevis Patriots 219 for 7 (Holder 44, Fletcher 41, Tariq 4-33) by 12 runs).
Munro, who has retired from international cricket but continues to be a force in T20 leagues the world over, made his first T20 century in four years, and celebrated it by tossing his bat and punching the air with both fists.
He was last seen in the CPL two years ago, playing for the St. Lucia Kings, and practically matched the work he did in six games for them (172 runs) with just one innings here.
Munro was at his attacking best, hitting 14 fours and six sixes which constituted over 60% of TKR’s 33 boundaries. His opening partner Alex Hales gave him good support with 47 off 27 balls. The start they got – 77 runs in the powerplay, and the hundred up in 47 balls – allowed TKR to cruise to their third-highest total in the CPL.
Patriots made a good go of the chase, with Kyle Mayers and Andre Fletcher hammering 80 runs in less than eight overs.
But once their partnership was broken, so was the rhythm of the chase. TKR used their spinners to good effect, with Akeal Hosein picking up 1 for 25 in his four overs, and Usman Tariq landing crucial blows, in particular breaking a rampaging first-wicket stand, and finishing with 4 for 33.
Patriots captain Jason Holder fought with 44 off 22 balls despite wickets falling around him. His side was left to score 43 runs off the last over, which eventually went for 30. Terrance Hinds started by giving a single to Dominic Drakes, before Naseem Shah hit a six. Five wides followed, and Hinds went off the field clutching his right side.
Munro replaced Hinds, and started with a beamer. Naseem then got 4, 6, 1, and Drakes finished with another six. Patriots nearly chased 232 down. (ESPN Cricinfo)
