By Travis Seymour | October 7, 2024
The St. Lucia Kings triumphed in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League, clinching their first title with a six-wicket victory over the Guyana Amazon Warriors on Sunday night.
The match, held in front of a sell-out crowd at Providence National Stadium, marked a significant achievement for the Kings as they dethroned the defending champions.
After being put in to bat, the Amazon Warriors struggled to establish a solid footing. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed without scoring, and while Shai Hope managed to contribute 22 runs, the team quickly faced setbacks as Shimron Hetmyer followed suit, leaving the Warriors in a precarious position.
The St. Lucia bowlers, particularly Noor Ahmad, who claimed three wickets for just 19 runs, capitalized on the Warriors’ misfortunes.
Despite some late resistance from Dwaine Pretorius, who scored 25, and Romario Shepherd with 19 runs, the Warriors finished their innings at 138 for 8 in 20 overs.
In response, the Kings began their chase cautiously, losing key player Johnson Charles early. Captain Faf Du Plessis also fell cheaply for 22 runs.
However, the arrival of Roston Chase and Aaron Jones shifted the momentum in favor of the Kings.
Jones showcased his aggressive batting style, scoring 48 runs off 30 balls, including two fours and four sixes, while Chase supported him with a steady 39 runs.
The Kings ultimately achieved their target of 139 runs with 11 balls to spare, securing a momentous victory and their inaugural CPL title.