Sunday’s Saint Lucia Premier League (SPL) final will be historic for several reasons. In the fifth season of the island’s semi-professional T20 competition, the SCCA South Castries Lions could become the first team to win the title more than once, or the SAIL Gros Islet Knights could lift their maiden trophy.
This year, through the National Lotteries Authority, the privately-run tournament expanded with a new team, played at more venues and rewarded players more substantially than in previous seasons.
The final, set for 3 p.m. at the refurbished Gros Islet Playing Field, now complete with walls and a grandstand, will feature a marquee clash between the country’s best batsman, currently Gros Islet’s Kimani Melius, and the leading bowler, South Castries’ Larry Edward. But beyond these stars, both teams boast an array of talented players.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the key protagonists.
The Kimani Melius fear factor
The former West Indies U-19 captain remains Saint Lucia’s most dangerous batter. As one opposing coach admitted this week: “I’m scared of him.” Melius’ talent has never been in doubt; he once smashed 275 in schoolboy cricket, a record for the highest score by any Saint Lucian until Ackeem Auguste’s 308 in an Under-23 match last year. Melius made his List A debut for West Indies B at just 17 in the 2018 Regional Super50.
However, consistency has eluded him recently. His 192 in the 2023 regional first-class competition remains the highest four-day score by a Saint Lucian, but a concussion sidelined him soon after. In 2024, as captain of the Windward Islands Volcanoes, he managed 142 runs in eight innings, with just one half-century. Injuries limited him to two matches in this year’s first-class series, where he scored 74 runs in four innings.
Yet, his form in this year’s SPL has been stunning: 455 runs in eight innings, including a top score of 129 (briefly the tournament’s highest before Johnnel Eugene surpassed it). He also blasted the fastest SPL half-century off 19 balls in the first qualifier, his third 50 of the campaign. If South Castries hope to win, they’ll need to dismiss Melius early.
Gros Islet’s supporting cast
The Knights are far from one-trick ponies. Tyrel Chicot, 24, is among the tournament’s best fielders and delivered an incisive 7-31, including the second hat-trick in SPL history, against the Micoud Eagles. His 18 wickets rank third this season, and he’s contributed 103 runs at 20.60.
Then there’s Tarrique Edward, a year removed from West Indies U-19s. His off-breaks have made him the joint-leading wicket-taker with 19, along with 125 runs, including a 50.
South Castries’ strengths
Tarrique narrowly trails South Castries’ experienced campaigner Larry Edward, also 19 wickets, whose slow left-arm orthodox bowling has been pivotal. The 30-year-old former Windward Islands player is the only bowler with multiple four-wicket hauls this season. He anchors a formidable attack featuring Kester Charlemagne, Bolton Sayers, Zinakki Louis, Daniel Jn Baptiste and Tonius Simon.
With the bat, Sayers with 186 from seven innings leads a balanced lineup. Kensley Paul and overseas player Daniel McDonald, with 160-plus runs each, have been reliable, while Tonius Simon, 110 runs in two matches, and Malcolm Monrose, 99 runs and one 50, have also impressed. Larry Edward (one half-century) is among six South Castries players to pass 50 this season, alongside Xavier Gabriel, Kester Charlemagne and Corlinus Callender.
Road to the final
Tarrique Edward’s lone 50 came in a losing effort against South Castries at Gros Islet, where Sayers’ four-wicket haul earned him Player of the Match. Melius fell for just six, and Larry Edward took 1-30. Both teams have evolved since that April clash: Charlemagne and Paul have grown in influence for South Castries, while Gros Islet welcomed back wicketkeeper Noelle Leo from the CWI Breakout League.
After six weeks of exciting cricket, Sunday’s final promises to be a cracker. Whether South Castries secure a record-breaking title or Gros Islet claim their first, history awaits.
