The Saint Lucia Kings lost to the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground on August 12 in their second match of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) regular season. The game, played in front of a good crowd, was the first of five home matches for the Kings this season. Sri Lankan Charith Asalanka made his CPL debut
The win owed much to a trio of players who have called the DSCG home over the past years, as they have represented different versions of the Kings in past seasons. Among them was Saint Lucian Johnson Charles, who is both the Kings’ and CPL’s all-time top run scorer.
The Kings had a shaky start to the fixture, losing both Andries Gous and Ackeem Auguste in the early overs. But the Boys in Blue recovered well to finish the fielding restrictions at 57 for 2. A fine knock from Kamil Pooran saw the Trinidadian bring up his maiden T20 half-century. Pooran made 54 before he was brilliantly run out by Wanindu Hasaranga. Most of Pooran’s runs came in tandem with Jewel Andrew, as the two put on 82 for the third wicket.
Andrew kept going and reached his own half-century before being dismissed for 58.
The Patriots fought back strongly, with captain Jason Holder and Saurabh Netravalkar each taking three wickets to put pressure on the Kings, who finished on 155 for 8, which was well below par.
In their innings, the visitors got off to a flyer, thanks to Charles, who scored a quickfire 16. Kyle Mayers, another former King, smashed 32 off just 16 deliveries, helping his team reach 59 by the end of the powerplay.
A series of indifferent shots followed to hand the Kings wickets in the middle overs, but yet another former Boy in Blue, Andre Fletcher, carried his bat to guide his team home by 5 wickets.
