Saint Lucia Kings rebound with convincing 54-Run Victory in Royals Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League

Saint Lucia Kings after suffering an initial defeat on the opening day, made a strong comeback, kicking off their tournament with an impressive 54-run triumph over the Barbados Royals Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League.

 The Kings won the toss and opted to bat first and they filled their boots with a barnstorming innings that saw them post the highest total of the season thus far with a fantastic 201/6.

Healthy contributions from all members of the batting order negated a brilliant spell of bowling from Jason Holder and ensured the Royals would have to produce something very special to win.

The Royals failed to get going in their reply, losing five wickets in the PowerPlay to all but end the chase but a spirited 48 from Nyeem Young ensured the Royals added some late respectability to proceedings.

Earlier on the Kings had posted 201/6, led by a blistering show by the opening pair of Johnson Charles and Faf Du Plessis, the Kings raced to 61 but two wickets in Jason Holder’s first over brought things back. Charles and Shadrack Descarte falling in quick succession to give the Royals something to work with.

However that joy proved to be short-lived as first Sean Williams and Du Plessis, then Williams and Sikandar Raza made light work of the Royals bowling to put the Kings into a commanding position heading into the final five overs. 

But that platform failed to be fully exploited as Qais Ahmad and Jason Holder pulled the momentum back by dismissing Williams and Raza respectively. 

Holder was to finish the match with 4/38 adding Roston Chase to his list of scalps but the lack of consistent support elsewhere ensured the Kings were still able to post an imposing total for the Royals to chase.

202 to win was always a tall order for the Royals to chase but the reply was over before it began, following a run out for Rahkeem Cornwall, Matthew Forde was destructor in chief removing the Royals top order to leave the innings in trouble at 21/4. 

Kyle Mayers briefly threaten to counter attack before Alzarri Joseph had him caught on the third man boundary for 16.

From there the Kings took the game away with wickets falling at regular intervals to dismiss the Royals for 147 to chalk up their first win of the tournament. 

Fantastic bowling by Jason Holder sees him becoming this evenings Dream11 MVP!!! #CPL23 #SLKvBR #CricketPlayedLouder #Dream11 #BiggestPartyInSport pic.twitter.com/bdsfg3DKQ9

— CPL T20 (@CPL) August 18, 2023

Match Summary

Saint Lucia Kings 201/6 (20 ov)

Barbados Royals 147/10 (20 ov)

Saint Lucia Kings won by 54 runs.

Scorecard

Match Stats

Saint Lucia Kings Fall of wickets: 1-61 (Johnson Charles - 5.4 ov), 2-65 (Sadrack Descartes - 5.6 ov), 3-109 (Faf du Plessis - 11.4 ov), 4-154 (Sean Williams - 15.3 ov), 5-159 (Sikandar Raza - 16.2 ov), 6-186 (Roston Chase - 18.6 ov)

Barbados Royals Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Rahkeem Cornwall - 0.1 ov), 2-4 (Justin Greaves - 0.3 ov), 3-21 (Kevin Wickham - 2.3 ov), 4-21 (Rovman Powell - 2.6 ov), 5-46 (Kyle Mayers - 5.4 ov), 6-55 (Jason Holder - 6.2 ov), 7-79 (Donavon Ferreira - 9.3 ov), 8-89 (Qais Ahmad - 12.5 ov), 9-118 (Joshua Bishop - 15.3 ov), 10-147 (Nyeem Young - 19.6 ov)

Playing XI

Saint Lucia Kings: Johnson Charles(WK), Faf du Plessis(C), Sean Williams, Sadrack Descartes, Sikandar Raza, Roston Chase, Roshon Primus, Khary Pierre, Matthew Forde, Chris Sole, Alzarri Joseph

Barbados Royals: Rovman Powell(C), Donavon Ferreira(WK), Kevin Wickham, Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers, Rahkeem Cornwall, Justin Greaves, Nyeem Young, Obed McCoy, Qais Ahmad, Joshua Bishop

 

Match Details:

Date: Friday, August 18, 2023 00:00

Venue: Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia, Gros Islet

Toss: Saint Lucia Kings elected to bat