THE Saint Lucia Kings have qualified for the playoffs in this season’s CPL T20 as they beat table-toppers Guyana Amazons by seven wickets in a match played at Providence, Guyana, on Thursday.
Interestingly, the Kings registered the first win over Amazons, who had so far played unbeaten in this year’s regional T20 championships.
It means that the Barbados Royals and the Jamaica Tallawahs have to fight for the one spot that remains. The Royals are two points ahead but have played a game more than the Tallawahs. So, this could go down to the wire.
On Thursday, Amazons opted to take first knock, and the decision backfired as the innings never really got going until the final five overs. Despite some late power hitting the Amazon Warriors could only post 167/5 which appeared subpar at first glance.
That proved to be correct as the Saint Lucia Kings confirmed that by chasing down the 168 to win with 15 balls remaining.
Although Johnson Charles fell for 1 in the second over that was to be as good as it got for the Amazon Warriors as Colin Munro and Bhanuka Rajapaksa put on a devastating partnership of 132 runs from 82 balls.
Speaking at the post-match interview:
Sikandar Raza, Saint Lucia Kings captain: (On making the playoffs) Feeling a little relieved. Don’t want to be in a situation where your last match is do-or-die. Always thought if we could contain our extras, we would have a better chance.
(Or if bowling first is a no-brainer) Even when we were bowling, the last eight overs were tough. The dew was playing a huge factor. But if I was in the position of Guyana, having qualified in the top two, I would have batted first too because I would have wanted my batters and bowlers to know what they would be up against possibly (in the playoffs).
Scorecard Summary:
[Guyana Amazon Warriors – 167/5 (20 overs)
Azam Khan 40 (25), Shai Hope 38 (25); Alzarri Joseph 2/31 (4), Matthew Forde 1/18 (4)
Saint Lucia Kings – 170/3 (17.3 overs)
Bhanuka Rajapaksa 86 (49), Colin Munro 55 (43); Romario Shepherd
1/15 (2), Imran Tahir 1/34 (4)].
The CPL returns today (Saturday) after a break on Friday, packed with action as the Jamaica Tallawahs take on the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the morning fixture. Guyana Amazon Warriors play against the Trinidad and Tobago Knight Riders in the evening game at 7.00 p.m.
The competition is now delicately poised, meaning that the Barbados Royals and the Jamaica Tallawahs have to fight for the one remaining spot. The Royals are two points ahead but have played a game more than the Tallawahs. So, this could go down to the wire.