Pollard slammed for no ball in CPL

Kieron Pollard has been slammed by many in the cricket community after bowling what appeared to be a deliberate no-ball in the Caribbean Premier League to deny opponent Evin Lewis a century.

St Kitts and Nevis opener Lewis had raced to 97 from just 32 deliveries and was on strike with the scores level when Pollard took the ball at the beginning of the eighth over.

But the batsman was denied the chance to reach triple figures, with Barbados Tridents captain Pollard far overstepping the line and producing a wayward, short-pitched delivery, gifting St Kitts the winning run.

Pollard’s actions were also criticised by commentator Danny Morrison, who said he was “disappointed” by the anticlimactic finish.

"(Lewis’ innings) deserved a hundred and I've got to say, as positive and excited as I am, it’s a pretty disappointing way for Pollard to finish the game," Morrison said.

Chasing the Tridents’ 9-128 for victory, St Kitts reached their target without loss in just 7.1 overs.

Lewis’ stunning knock saw him outshine opening partner Chris Gayle, with the 25-year-old smashing 11 sixes in a brutal display.

Gayle faced the first over of the Patriots’ chase, scoring two boundaries, but from there he faced just eight more deliveries as Lewis went on a rampage.

He smashed the first delivery he faced over leg side for six, and hit two more maximums from the same Wayne Parnell over.

Lewis reached 50 – with another six – from just 19 deliveries, and the Patriots became the first team to reach triple figures from the power play in CPL history when they scored 0-105 from the first six overs.

A further 23 runs came off the seventh over, before Pollard’s no-ball ended the match in farcical fashion.

Player of the match Lewis said he was disappointed to miss out on his century, but was nonetheless pleased with his stunning knock.

"It hurts (missing out on the hundred), but hitting 97 not out off 33 balls? I'll take that any day," he said.

"I've been hitting the ball long and hard in the nets. I’m confident now and looking forward to the playoffs."

St Kitts finished the group stage of the tournament second on the table behind the Trinbago Knight Riders.