In the CPL opener, St Kitts & Nevis Patriots won their first opening match.
In North Sound Antigua at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots won against the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons on the match’s last ball, starting the eleventh season of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with suspense.
Andre Fletcher, The Patriots captain, won the coin toss and chose to field first. South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje, who subsequently played a significant role with the bat, dismissed Falcons opener Teddy Bishop for a single run. Fakhar Zaman then seized control, scoring 43 runs off 32 balls, including five fours and two sixes, while Kofi James scored 22 runs off 24 balls. But all eyes were on 17-year-old Jewel Andrew, who smashed 50 runs from just 30 balls setting a tough target of 163-4 for the Patriots. However, England’s Sam Billings got out due to an amazing catch by Odean Smith at deep midwicket, which displayed great footwork and presence of mind.
As the game peaked with the chase of the wickets and runs reaching the climax, everything came down to the last delivery ball. Nortje stayed calm, managing to grab a single off Roshon Primus to clinch a narrow win for the Patriots. This win means they’ve already matched their total wins from last year’s event after just one game.
Kyle Mayers got Player of the Match for scoring 39 runs from 24 balls at number three. But when Mohammad Amir got him out in the 16th over, the Patriots were 133/6 still struggling. Even though they kept losing wickets, including two in the last over, the Patriots’ lower order just managed to win and start their season well.
“I’m glad we won this game,” Patriots skipper Andre Fletcher said after the victory. “We need to stay positive but also play smart. It’s important to enjoy cricket, celebrate each other’s successes, and stick together as a team. If we do that, we have the talent to succeed.”
The 2024 CPL has begun, and the opening match has certainly whetted appetites for the five weeks of cricket action to come.
Match Summary
Antigua and Barbuda Wickets: 1-7 (Bishop – 1.6 ov), 2-67 (Zaman – 9.2 ov), 3-80 (James – 10.5 ov), 4-102 (Billings – 13.6 ov)
St Kitts & Nevis Patriots Wickets: 1-37 (Fletcher – 4.4 ov), 2-71 (Lewis – 7.6 ov), 3-77 (Stubbs – 9.5 ov), 4-111 (Smith – 13.4 ov), 5-111 (Rossouw – 13.5 ov), 6-133 (Mayers – 15.5 ov), 7-154 (John – 18.3 ov), 8-157 (Drakes – 19.1 ov), 9-159 (Nedd – 19.3 ov)
