Trinbago Knight Riders ensured a top-two finish and place in the 2023 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Qualifier with a seven wicket victory over the Saint Lucia Kings.
The home team won the toss and chose to field first, but it was their former player Colin Munro who was the star of the Saint Lucia Kings innings, scoring an unbeaten 72 runs to take the side to 167/3 after 20 overs.
The Knight Riders chase was headlined by a superb half century from Mark Deyal, alongside support from wicket-keeper Lorcan Tucker and Andre Russell, to take the side to a seven wicket victory in their final game this season in front of their home crowd.
Saint Lucia Kings lost powerful opener Johnson Charles in the PowerPlay, as fast bowler Jayden Seales celebrated with a wicket on his birthday, but the Kings would rebuild as Colin Munro and Roston Chase patiently scored runs in their 76 run partnership, which came off 58 balls.
Chase was dismissed off a Waqar Salamkheil delivery and that was followed shortly afterwards with the big wicket of captain Sikandar Raza, who fell to Sunil Narine. A late cameo from Sean Williams, who smashed 34 runs off 17 balls would see the Saint Lucia Kings score 58 runs in the last 5 overs to finish on 167/3.
Trinbago Knight Riders had an early scare as opener Martin Guptill was given out LBW from just the third ball of the innings, but the decision was overturned on review. Guptill eventually lost his wicket in the fourth over, and when Nicholas Pooran, leading run scorer for the franchise this season, lost his wicket in the final ball of the powerplay to an Alzarri Joseph delivery, the Knight Riders looked in trouble at 45-2.
However opener Mark Deyal would compose a brilliant half century, reaching 57 before being caught on the boundary by Peter Hatzoglou. Lorcan Tucker would provide invaluable support with 38 runs, before a flurry of boundaries from Andre Russell would ensure the Trinbago Knight Riders would win.
The Knight Riders, courtesy of this win, are now assured of a top-two berth, which is a big advantage considering the playoff structure. In simpler words, even if they were to lose Qualifier 1, they will have another shot at making the final. Mark Deyal win the Player of the Match Award,
“(On what this innings means) I want to thank the almighty for this opportunity tonight. This is special, playing in front of my home crowd and playing for my home team. We had some discussions in the dressing room, we knew how important these two points were. Nice thing about this team is that everyone enjoys each other’s success. I talked to Dwayne and he asked me to give himself a chance at the start. I took that advice today and it paid off. (On partnership with Tucker) We ran really well between the wickets and put the pressure on the bowlers when they bowled bad balls. That partnership set up the game. Nicholas messaged me today and told me tonight is my night and just happy to perform. Going to Guyana, at the top of the table, is a nice feeling. Gives us a chance to relax and be a little more well-rested. Everyone is putting up their hands and it is a total team effort.” he said
CPL action now moves on to the final leg in Guyana, with the Guyana Amazon Warriors taking on the Jamaica Tallawahs on Wednesday evening.