Barbados Royals won their third game in a row in the Caribbean Premier League 2024 as they defeated Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in a rain-curtailed match by 10 runs (DLS Method) at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados on Wednesday.
This is the Royals’ second win over the Falcons this CPL 2024, having defeated the newly-introduced team by nine wickets in the season opener. There were four changes to the side with David Miller and Keshav Maharaj starting for the Royals alongside Alick Athanaze and Rivaldo Clarke.
Fine start by Falcons
Captain Rovman Powell won the toss and elected to bowl first. The Falcons started strongly, scoring 55 runs in the powerplay, with both the openers firing. Soon after the powerplay, Maharaj was introduced into the attack and he struck early by sending Brandon King back.
A solid Greaves-Billings partnership
Sam Billings came in next to join hands with Justin Greaves and ensured the run rate never dropped and the scoreboard kept ticking. Both of them added 92 for the second wicket. This partnership proved integral to registering a solid total on the board for the Falcons. Greaves scored 61 runs off 52 balls while Billings made 56 off 43.
Good bowling by Royals, fielders falter
The Royals bowlers put on a good performance, but the fielding woes were apparent. There were multiple dropped catches and misfields across the ground which proved costly. However, Maharaj shone on his CPL 2024 debut, finishing with impressive figures of 1/19 from four overs. Jason Holder and Naveen-ul-Haq also chipped in with two wickets each towards the end of the innings.
A crucial de Kock-Athanaze partnership
During the chase, the Royals lost Rahkeem Cornwall early. However, Athanaze joined hands with opener Quinton de Kock to register a solid 72-run partnership. It proved to be the base of the Royals' chase. Quinton missed out on a half-century, finishing with 48 runs of 30 balls, while Athanaze scored 34 off 29.
Rain interrupts play
David Miller came in for his CPL 2024 debut and was cruising ahead with a healthy strike rate before rain interrupted play. The match began briefly after a half-hour break, but the covers had to be pulled again. After another 30-minute wait, the umpires called the match off, with the Royals winning through the DLS Method.
The Royals have held on to the second spot in the standings with their third consecutive win. Next, they will face Trinbago Knight Riders on Friday, September 13 at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, in Barbados.