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Tallawahs hitters couldn’t rely on their starts as Dwayne Bravo impressed with the ball
Saint Kitts and Nevis Patriots 169 for 4 (Rutherford 50 *) beat Jamaican tallawahs 166 for 8 (Bravo 3-25) by six wickets
On a night when a number of batters couldn’t cash the starts – Carlos Brathwaite’s 27 was the best scoring for Jamaica Tallawahs – Rutherford became the deciding hand. His 55-in-just 20-ball stand with Allen took control of what was a 50-50 chase when Ravi Bopara left to leave the Patriots 114 for 4 in the 15th.
With five overs to go, the Patriots needed 50 when Allen helped take 17 off Andre Russell to turn things around. Phil Simmons, the West Indies coach who watched from the stands, was reportedly worried to see Russell flex his leg multiple times.
The next round decided the contest when Rutherford took three sixes out of Migael Pretorius – the second two coming after he got away with a spiraling top edge that substitute outfielder Kirk McKenzie couldn’t get below. . Allen then sealed the game by taking the count from six to six in the space of 14 balls.
The Patriots were quickly out of the blocks but were brought back when Devon Thomas slipped and struggling Asif Ali was trapped in front. Evin Lewis, who was awarded a life in 24 by Tallawahs alternate wicket keeper Kennar Lewis, was preparing to play the key innings before passing Rovman Powell.
Andrew McGlashan is Associate Editor at ESPNcricinfo
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