Kings lose despite Auguste blitz

The Saint Lucia Kings lost their second game of this year’s Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), falling to the Barbados Tridents on Sunday at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground.

Despite the bad weather, fans filled the Johnson Charles Stand, while smaller groups watched from other parts of the stadium.

Rain reduced the match to 18 overs, and the Tridents got off to a flying start after the Kings chose to bowl first. The Kings dismissed opener Zachary Carter early, but Quinton de Kock (38) and Brandon King (39) put together 56 runs for the second wicket.

The real momentum came courtesy of Sherfane Rutherford, who smashed 61 runs off just 31 deliveries, including five sixes and three fours, pushing the Royals to 177/5 in their allotted overs.

The Kings started their chase quickly with a brisk 34 runs off 21 deliveries from captain Roston Chase. Saint Lucian star Ackeem Auguste then lit up the stadium with sensational stroke play following Chase’s dismissal and Jewel Andrew’s injury. Auguste scored a match-high 63 runs off 34 balls featuring six sixes and three fours. However, his heroics were not enough as wickets fell at regular intervals.

A glimmer of hope remained with 29 runs required off the final over when Matthew Forde struck 14 off the first three deliveries. However, Ramon Simmonds held his nerve to see his team home by nine runs.

After this loss, the Kings moved down to second place in the standings with a 50% win rate. Their next match is against the Guyana Amazon Warriors on Wednesday.

The article Kings lose despite Auguste blitz is from St. Lucia Times.