KINGSTON, Jamaica  — Jamaica Tallawahs secured a convincing six-wicket victory over the hapless St Lucia Stars and with it a spot in the play-offs of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Twenty20 tournament with three more home games to come here at Sabina Park.

Chasing a target of 173, the Tallawahs raced to 176-4 in 19 overs, led by a magnificent half-century from captain Kumar Sangakkara, who starred in a crucial 71-run third-wicket stand with the inform local star Andre McCarthy.

 The win saw the Tallawahs solidifying their position in third on 10 points from seven games, behind Trinbago Knight Riders (14 points) and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (11 points) — both of whom have already qualified.

Sangakkara, the former Sri Lankan wicketkeeper/batsman, was given a life early out by Shane Shillingford and he made full use of the opportunity, smacking three sixes and nine fours in his unbeaten knock of 74 off 46 deliveries.  

McCarthy was next best scorer with 36 off 32 balls, including three sixes and one four, while opener Glenn Phillips contributed 21, to prolong the misery of the Stars, who are still in search of that elusive victory for the campaign.

Four bowlers took one wicket each for the Stars.

Earlier, the Stars sent in to bat were led by captain Shane Watson, who finally came to the party in this the penultimate game of their failed campaign,  scoring his first half century in their total of 172-8 from 20 overs.

 They were just two runs shy of the total chased down by the Tallawahs in their previous meeting earlier in the season. 

The Australian capitalised on some poor fielding by the Tallawahs, smashing seven sixes and three fours in his innings of 80 off 45 deliveries, after being dropped by Krishmar Santokie on 22. 

Johnson Charles (20) and Andre Fletcher (20) were the next best scorers for the Stars, who are rooted at the foot of the six-team table on a point and are playing for pride to register their first win.

Santokie with 2-33 off four overs and Garey Mathurin with 2-26, were the pick of the Tallawahs bowlers.

Sherdon Cowan