Barbados Royals took the top spot in the Caribbean Premier League 2024 points table as they served the Guyana Amazon Warriors their first defeat of the season at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados on Saturday.
It was a great fightback from the Royals unit who were handed their first defeat of the season on Friday by Trinbago Knight Riders. They turned the tide in a day and registered a fantastic 32-run victory over the previous table toppers, Amazon Warriors.
Guyana had won the toss and had elected to bowl first. The only change in the Royals unit was the introduction of Kadeem Alleyne, in the place of Rahkeem Cornwall.
The ‘Quintessential Quinton’ show
Being put to bat, it was the 23-year-old Alleyne who began the onslaught first. He scored a brisk 22 off nine deliveries before being caught in the third over. Then started the Quinton de Kock show. The 31-year-old rolled back the years and showed why he is still so dangerous at the top of the order.
He played some fabulous shots, sending the ball to every corner of the ground. While he hit the big shots, Alick Athanaze held anchor at the other end. They built an 82-run partnership before Athanaze was caught out.
Quinton continued his sturdy run-scoring innings and almost carried his bat till the end, but was caught out with just two deliveries remaining. He finished with an individual score of 115 runs off 68 balls. His innings was studded with nine maximums and eight fours. A truly exceptional show!
Holder adds a punch
Neither Rovman Powell nor David Miller could add much weight to the scoring and at one point, the 200-mark looked tough to reach. That is when Jason Holder entered the party and scored a quick 28 off 10 deliveries, including three sixes. His innings was critical in taking the score over the 200 mark at the end of 20 overs.
Expensive bowling from the Warriors
The Guyana bowlers didn’t have a great outing, especially in the last two overs, where they were hit for six maximums. They did keep chipping in with wickets. Raymon Reifer and Dwaine Pretorius were the pick of the lot and took five wickets between them. But most of them proved too expensive for their own good.
A chase too tough for the Warriors
Chasing a huge score of 206, the Amazon Warriors lost Azam Khan cheaply. Tim Robinson and captain Shai Hope took their time to get going. Hope ended as the top-scorer for Guyana with 40 off 34 balls.
Shimron Hetmyer and Moeen Ali played breezy cameos through the middle but failed to carry on. They gave momentum to the scoring but needed to stay on the crease longer to do some real damage. Keemo Paul and Raymon Reifer also came in and swung their bats, but the target was still quite far and the task proved too difficult for them.
Solid bowling by the Royals
The Royals bowlers were quite accurate. They bowled according to their plans and the field. Maharaj and Holder were the chief wicket-takers with three and two apiece, while the ever-consistent Maheesh Theekshana bowled an economical spell to pile on the pressure.
Barbados Royals will be back in action on Tuesday to solidify their place at the top of the standings. They will welcome St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, whom they have defeated previously in CPL 2024, to the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.