CPL REVIEW: Bravo milestone and Holder stays level

The Cricketer looks back on the latest double-header as the competition continues apace...

• Guyana defend lowest CPL score as Andre Russell is left with too much to do

Bravo Darren

A domestic T20 career which began in the ill-fated Standford Super Series reached its most significant landmark so far, as Darren Bravo went to 3,000 runs in the domestic format thanks to his half-century for Trinbago Knight Riders in victory over Barbados Tridents.

The 31-year-old skipped the West Indies tour of England due to anxiety regarding the Covid-19 pandemic. He cited concerns regarding the health of his family, something that we can all respect in the current circumstances, so this competition marks his return to competitive action.

What was the Windies' loss is the Knight Riders' gain, with Bravo reaping the rewards of some extra preparation time ahead of the CPL. He finished last year's competition with five single-figure scores but has vastly improved on that return already in 2020.

Indeed, this knock of 54 from 36 balls was his first half-century in the 20-over game since last September. He played second fiddle to Colin Munro before picking up the baton. He reached the 3,000 run landmark is memorable fashion, launching Windies captain Jason Holder to the rope to four.

Bravo has enjoyed an interesting career. He has neither been sensational or flattered to deceive at any level of the sport - his international T20 return stands out but 20 outings across 11 years can hardly have helped - yet this seems to be the level where he is at his most comfortable.

Not 32 until February, there is still plenty of time for Bravo to sign off his career with the kind of performances that were anticipated when he started it. He remains very much in the conversation internationally and is a regular across the franchise circuit.

And the enthusiasm in which he spoke about his Windies recall at the start of the year suggests he has the hunger to ensure what is the final chapter in his career is as glittering as anything that has gone before.

Chemar holds his own

The sheer beauty of T20 and the relentlessness of franchise tournaments means that no sooner has a player had a mistake, an opportunity to redeem yourself is right around the corner.

Chemar Holder is viewed as the future of the Windies bowling attack. There was a feeling he could have been a real threat in England, where he was chosen to tour in the summer. Instead, he exclusively had a watching brief, making up the numbers in the intra-squad matches and forced into a watching brief in the bio-secure bubble. It must have been utterly infuriating, particularly as the Windies attack broke down.

Holder produced the goods on his first outing of the competition for St Lucia Zouks against Guyana Amazon Warriors. He had gone for 30 from his first three overs. He's bowled a nine-ball over which went for 15. And yet Daren Sammy knew he could entrust him to keep his cool when it mattered.

Bowling at the tail, the 22-year-old produced a sensational repost via the final over of the Warriors chase. A clean yorker got rid of Shefane Rutherford before he caught Chris Green's edge to secure victory, conceding just two runs in the process. "Today he showed that he could handle the pressure," said captain Sammy. Not half.

Stumps everywhere

There are few sights more satisfying than watching a batsman castled in dramatic fashion, with timber flying in various directions. Raymon Reifer delivered a slice of bowling porn with an inswinger that flattened the dangerous Sunil Narine. It mightn't have been enough to inspire Barbados Tridents to victory, but it was a stand-out moment to cherish.

𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗥𝗥𝗥𝗥!#CPL20 #TKRvBTpic.twitter.com/GTJLOx2nA6

— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) August 23, 2020

Painful Taylor

When Guyana Amazon Warriors look back at their defeat to the Zouks by 10 runs, it will be impossible to ignore the return of Ross Taylor, who soaked up two overs for his single.

It was a painful innings to watch. What began with a failure to beat the infield became an exercise in miss-timing the ball. The New Zealander looks hopelessly out of touch and while trying to hit his way into form, he dealt a major blow to the Warriors' hopes of victory.

Hit out or get out is generally the advice against the white ball and yet Taylor could do neither until he was eventually caught by Andre Fletcher of the grateful Mohammad Nabi. The 36-year-old was regarded as a genius addition for another spell in the CPL, but this was the continuation of a poor start to the competition.

The Cricketer's coverage of the CPL comes in collaboration with the Caribbean Cricket Podcast

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