Trinbago Knight Riders Captain Dwayne Bravo conceded that winners Jamaica Tallawahs held their nerves better in Monday’s pulsating Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Twenty20 clash at Sabina Park.

The reigning champions Knight Riders — formerly Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel — restricted the Tallawahs to a par score of 158-7 off 20 overs on a pitch that lacked much of the pace seen in previous CPL matches at the venue this season. Andre Russell and Rovman Powell each made 44.

Medium pacer Kevon Cooper took 3-22 for the Knight Riders. In their reply of 139-9, the Knight Riders were undermined by Russell, who took 4-23 with his zippy seam bowling. Hashim Amla top-scored with 42.

“Sabina Park got its money’s worth. There were two good teams with good players on either side,” Bravo told reporters in a post-match interview.

“Congrats to the Tallawahs. They held their nerve in the end because, honestly, I thought chasing 159, it was a total we could get with our batting line-up. They (the Tallawahs) bowled well and they bowled smart, and it did not help that there were soft dismissals as well.”

Bravo, who threatened briefly with 13 off seven balls, said the game swung for the final time in favour of the Tallawahs when he was dismissed by pacer Dale Steyn in the 16th over. At that point, the Knight Riders slumped to 119-6, needing another 40 runs off 25 balls.

“I think when I got out, that’s when the game turned in their favour. We have to learn from our mistakes and I take full responsibility at that point in time,” he explained.

But Tallawahs Head Coach Paul Nixon felt his team won the game with the removal of the experienced Amla in the 15th over. Just before the fall of Amla, the Knight Riders were 104-4.

“Amla was the calm head that could have carried them through. He is the glue in their side. If he is in needing 10 runs an over… you never know with a great player like that. It’s tough for a new batsman coming in to hit boundaries from ball one on a sticky pitch where the slower balls were gripping,” said Nixon.

When the Tallawahs batted, a 72-run third-wicket stand between Powell and left-hander Kumar Sangakkara (23) lifted the team after opener Chadwick Walton and Captain Christopher Gayle went cheaply.

But the departure of both Sangakkara and Powell with the score on 91 left Russell to prop up the innings with a typically belligerent knock.

The all-rounder then returned with the ball to lead a disciplined bowling effort from the Tallawahs.

“They (the Knight Riders) bowled well up front and put us under pressure, but we scrapped and we showed great composure. We were probably 15 or 20 runs short [of an ideal score]. When Sangakkara and Rovman went, that probably cost us those runs, because two new batsman together meant too many dot balls. The performance of Andre helped us; the bigger the moment, the more he handles the pressure, and the bowlers were just world-class tonight and the fielding was so good,” Nixon told the Jamaica Observer.

The South African Steyn, who took 2-21, enjoyed bowling on the generally lively surfaces at Sabina Park.

“It had a little bit to offer, a little bit of swing up front, but it was probably a bit sticky tonight. It came on a little bit better the other night. With a little bit of swing and a little bit of sideways movement, the quicks were always in the game,” Steyn said in a television interview.

Due to contractual obligations with Cricket South Africa, Steyn was set to leave the Tallawahs after last night’s game against Barbados Tridents at Sabina. He is to be replaced by compatriot Dane Paterson.