In the first red card given in the history of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) captain Kieron Pollard ordered veteran spinner Sunil Narine to move on for the final over of the innings. The moment happened during the first innings of match number 12 between TKR and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots played at Warner Park in St Kitts on Sunday, 27th August.
In this year’s edition of CPL, a unique red-card rule has been instituted to overcome the increasingly slow over rates. It states that the fielding side will be asked to play with one fielder if they are behind time in the final over. He will also have a fifth and sixth fielder inside the circle, trailing at the start of the 18th and 19th overs. Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) suffered a double whammy as they were forced to field only three fielders outside the circle for the last over while only ten players were required to field for the final over.
Here is the video of the umpire issuing the red card for the first time in CPL history:
SENT OFF! The 1st ever red card in CPL history. Sunil Narine gets his marching orders 🚨 #CPL23 #SKNPvTKR #RedCard #CricketPlayedLouder #BiggestPartyInSport pic.twitter.com/YU1NqdOgEX
— CPL T20 (@CPL) August 28, 2023
Trinbago Knight Riders paid the price for fielding ten men as Patriots captain Sherfane Rutherford dismissed veteran Dwayne Bravo for 18 runs in the last over to take the team to 178/5 in 20 overs. Sunil Narine was TKR’s best bowler, taking 3/24 from his four overs before walking off the field for the final over of the innings.
“It Is Absolutely Ridiculous” – Kieron Pollard
TKR skipper Kieron Pollard didn’t mince words when asked about the new red-card rule that saw his team become the first team in CPL history to be punished. Fortunately, having one fielder short did not prove costly as the team chased down the target of 179 in just 17.1 overs to win their first game of the season.
“To be honest, it will take away the hard work everyone has done (prior to the penalties). We are like the pawns and we are going to do what we are told. We are going to play as fast as we can. If you are penalized for 30-45 seconds in a tournament like this, it is absolutely ridiculous,” said Pollard at the post-match presentation.
However, the captain was happy with the team’s approach during the run-chase, led by in-form batsman Nicholas Pooran’s 32-ball 61. Pollard played a brilliant inning of 37 runs in 16 balls to finish the match.
Pollard Added:
“I liked how we approached it (the run-chase). Pooran has been doing well (at 3). Once you have wickets in hand on a ground like this, it is tough to defend,”
After a rain-affected game and a loss to St Lucia Kings to start their campaign, TKR bounced back with this impressive win and moved up to the fourth spot on the points table. They will take on last year’s finalists Barbados Royals in their next match on Wednesday, 30 August.
