With a well defined and determined ploy , the Saint Lucia Kings face the St Kitts-Nevis Patriots today (Wednesday) in their first home match of the 2026 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) tournament at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground (DSCG).
With the stakes high, all seven competing teams are eager to seize the monetary prize and the coveted championship title.
The Kings kicked off their campaign on Sunday with a thrilling victory against the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in Kingstown, St. Vincent & the Grenadines. This match marked the host country’s inaugural CPL games and the first three contests of the series.
In a dramatic showdown at Arnos Vale, the Kings edged the Falcons by just four runs. Andries Gous starred for the Kings, scoring an impressive 82 runs, which propelled his team to a competitive total.
Captain Roston Chase was pivotal in the middle overs, dampening the Falcons’ chase. Jahmar Hamilton struggled, scoring just 10 runs off 20 balls.
The Kings started strong with 53 runs for 1 wicket in the first six overs, led by Gous, who scored an impressive 82 runs. McKenny Clarke and Shadley van Schalkwyk added 25 unbeaten runs, bringing the Kings to a competitive total.
The Falcons excelled in the field, with Alzarri Joseph taking 3 wickets for 32 runs and Shamar Springer claiming the important wicket of Gous.
The Falcons’ top order initially thrived, reaching 109 runs for 2 wickets by the halfway mark. However, a collapse ensued as the Kings’ spinners, including Chase and Maheesh Theekshana, took crucial wickets.
In a tense final over, the Falcons needed 13 runs to win. Matthew Forde, despite earlier struggles, kept his composure, securing a dramatic four-run victory for the Kings. The teams will meet again on Friday at DSCG, with the Falcons looking to bounce back.
In the meantime, the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) hosted the Saint Lucia Kings at a social reception on Monday at the Bay Gardens Resorts, providing an opportunity for fans and supporters to engage with the team.
Head coach Daren Sammy provided updates on the team composition, which includes seasoned players, returnees, and at least five young debutantes, supported by a strategically savvy technical unit. He expressed optimism about the potential of this “young team.”
Sammy emphasized the Kings’ focus on pursuing another championship title following their success in 2024, stating: “With this young team that we have, they’re brave, confident, and exciting. We, the senior guys, have challenged them to be smart, and that’s the way we will aim to play this season.”