In the 11-year history of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), only one original franchise is yet to lift the title.
The Saint Lucia Kings hope to change that on Sunday night when they face the Guyana Amazon Warriors in this tournament finale at Providence in Guyana.
During the league phase, the finalists finished in the top two positions, giving them an easier path to CPL glory.
The Kings lost both preliminary games to the defending champions, but fought back strongly in Qualifier 1, defeating the home team on Wednesday night.
With silverware up for grabs, the Boys in Blue will hope to replicate that result and silence what is expected to be a packed, Amazon Warrior-centric crowd.
Ahead of the final, head coach Daren Sammy stressed the importance of assessing the conditions well to increase their chances of victory, noting that the decision at the toss could be crucial. He spoke on Saturday evening.
“We have to make sure that when we get there, the assessment we make from what our eyes see is accurate so we can decide what to do when that toss goes up,” Sammy stated. “By trusting our processes and focusing on ourselves, we can enable ourselves to be victorious.”
Sammy also praised Saint Lucian Johnson Charles’ adaptability throughout the tournament as key to the team’s success so far.
“Charles has been a revelation for us,” Sammy said. “Watching him try different approaches, putting in the work during practice, and having the confidence to execute during the game has been a great example for the youngsters on the team. The way he’s played in Guyana has made a massive difference for us at the top of the order, especially with the partnership between him and [Faf du Plessis].”
The Kings are hopeful for an exceptional performance in the final to cap what has already been a historic year for Saint Lucian sports.
Get it Kings…