Above: Chris Gayle, Man of the Series this weekend in Lauderhill (CJ Photo)
By the Caribbean Journal staff
Trinidad’s Sunil Narine stymied New Zealand to help the West Indies to a 61-run victory in the second of two T20 International matches in Florida.
Narine snared four wickets for 12 runs from four overs, as New Zealand unsuccessfully chased 178 for victory, and were dismissed for 116 in 18.4 overs in steamy weather at Central Broward Regional Park.
“I think we are on the right track by actually winning two games,” Narine said following the match. “When you win there’s always improvement, but I think that’s up to the support staff, so, when we are training, we’ll work on whatever has to be worked on, and concentrate on what’s giving us success.”
Narine was helped by Jamaica’s Chris Gayle, who stroked 53 from 39 balls, his second half-century in as many innings, and taking the Man of the Series prize.
Gayle’s showing, along with that of Kieron Pollard, helped ease some of the pressure on the rest of the side, Narine said.
“I think the way Gayle and Pollard bat, making 200-plus runs, makes it a lot easier on the bowlers going out there and bowling,” he said. “It gives you the encouragement to still do what you’re accustomed to doing.
The two matches at Central Broward Regional Park were the first ever sanctioned in the area.
Central Broward Regional Park on Sunday (CJ Photo)
The West Indies built a 177 for five from their allocation of 20 overs, after choosing to bat.
The Windies played again to a large crowd in Lauderhill (see above), highlighted by supporters of Jamaica and Trinidad; Trinidad and Tobago was the official tourism partner of the weekend.
“I think we have set a good tone starting off winning the first two,” Narine said.