Desperation time for TKR

The margin for error has vanished for defending Caribbean Premier League champions Trinbago Knight Riders. With only four points and three matches left, TKR need a victory against the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in their final home game to keep their hopes of reaching the top four alive.

Monday’s nine-run loss to the Guyana Amazon Warriors, decided by the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, left TKR with a maximum possible total of 10 points. Even that total may not guarantee a playoff place if other results go against them. TKR were fifth, with Barbados Tridents and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots below them in the standings.

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We’re very optimistic, to be honest. T20 cricket is funny. We have three games left. If we can turn up for all three games and get ourselves to 10 points, you never know.

Captain Nicholas Pooran remained upbeat after the defeat. "We’re very optimistic, to be honest. T20 cricket is funny. We have three games left. If we can turn up for all three games and get ourselves to 10 points, you never know," he said.

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We’ve tried a lot of different bowlers. Obviously, Lahiru flew in yesterday from Sri Lanka and played today, which is a great effort. But we’ve struggled big-time when it comes to the fast-bowling department, and we’ve paid some expensive prices there.

Pooran acknowledged that TKR have yet to produce what he called a "perfect game," particularly because the team has not found a reliable seam-bowling combination. Lahiru Kumara arrived from Sri Lanka and played despite flying in the previous day, but the fast bowlers conceded heavily. Kumara gave up 55 runs, Dominic Drakes conceded 40 without taking a wicket, and Justin Greaves, returning from injury, went for 18. Together they allowed 113 runs as Shimron Hetmyer smashed an unbeaten 111 from 43 balls in Guyana’s 185 for five from 16 overs.

TKR’s reply included 43 from Pooran off 16 balls and 55 from Alex Hales, but they finished on 172 for seven. Kieron Pollard missed the match after suffering an injury against Jamaica Kingsmen, and his availability remains uncertain. Pooran said Pollard is trying to regain full fitness and added: "We need his experience and his skill, so I’m looking forward to seeing him back on the park as soon as possible." TKR’s match against the Falcons begins at 7 p.m.

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He’s trying his best to get back to full fitness for the next game, so we’re very optimistic that he plays. We need his experience and his skill, so I’m looking forward to seeing him back on the park as soon as possible.