IT can best be described as their worse batting display in the history of the CPL T20 tournament, playing on home turf, the Saint Lucia Stars were bundled out for 69 runs in 12.3 overs, yes you read right; mere hours after the region was rattled by a powerful 7.3 earthquake on Tuesday 21st August.
In an all-important contest for both teams to stay alive in this year’s tournament, Saint Kitts and Nevis Patriots left no stone unturned. Andre Fletcher was the first to go caught off the bowling of Sheldon Cottrell after hitting the first ball for six, he made 8 and the rest of the batting was history.
Pinch hitter, Rahkeem Cornwall was next out for 5,caught by Carlos Brathwaite off the bowling of Mohammed Mahmudullah (13 for 2); Llendl Simmons poor run on form with the bat continued to haunt him as he was stumped by Devon Thomas for 2 giving Mahmudullah his second wicket ( 19 for 3 after 3.1 overs).
Stars captain and century maker in the match against the Barbados Trident, Kieron Pollard did not last too long either as he was caught by compatriot Evin Lewis off the bowling of Sheldon Cottrell for 4,(24 for 4).
Despite being the second highest scorer (14), opening batman David Warner continue to struggle with the bat; Daren Sammy 0 (55 for 6), Kavem Hodge 0 (70 for 6), QaisAhamd top scored with 24, the only batsman to show any kind of resilience, hitting two 4s and two 6s off 18 deliveries, Mitchell McClenaghan 2 (9 for 62), Obed McCoy 6 (69 all out) while Kesrick Williams remained not out 1.
Bowing for Saint Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Sheldon Cottrell 3 for 14; SundeepLamichhane 2 for 13; Mohammed Mahmudullah 2 for 2 and 1 wicket each for Carlos Brathwaite and Ben Cutting were the wicket takers.
With a target of 70 to win in their allotted 20 overs, the patriots made light work as they finished on 70 for 3 in 7.3 overs. Evin Lewis 13 (1 for 30), Brendon King 17 (2 for 60) lost their wickets to Mitchell McClenaghan and Kavem Hodge. Devon Thomas remained unbeaten on 38, in the process he hit five 4s and one 6. Tom Cooper was run out for 0 (3 for 67), while Anton Devcich was not out on 2.
Bowling for the Stars, Mitchell McClenaghan 1 for 27; Kavem Hodge 1 for 1.
The Stars will be in action tomorrow night when they face Guyana Amazon Warriors from 9.00 p.m. at the DSCG.
The last time the two teams met, the Warriors won by 3 runs. Scores in the match – The Guyana Amazon Warriors, 141 for 4; Saint Lucia Stars 138 for 7.
