Chris Green made a winning start as Barbados Tridents captain as his side held their nerve to beat Jamaica Kingsmen by five runs in a thrilling opening match of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League at Sabina Park on Tuesday night. Needing 15 runs from the final over, Jamaica fell short after losing two wickets to Ramon Simmonds in a dramatic finish. A single and two wides were followed by a massive six from Andre Russell, leaving the Kingsmen needing six from three balls before Simmonds struck again to seal victory for the Tridents. However, Russell was then caught off the next delivery, to bring to end an innings of 68 from 38 balls, which featured nine sixes.

Vitel Lawes was also well set, but his dismissal for 32 off 20 balls off the following delivery swung the momentum back in the Tridents’ favour, as Jamaica eventually finished on 201 for nine.

Earlier skipper Rovaman Powell added 38 off 24 balls and Keacy Carty 45 from 27, while for the Tridents Player of the Match Daniel Sams took wickets at key intervals, as he grabbed four for 20.