GROS ISLET – The Antigua and Barbuda Falcons’ powerful inaugural season within the Caribbean Premier League continued with a 26-run defeat to the St Lucia Kings on the Daren Sammy Nationwide Stadium on Sunday.
After opting to bowl first, the Falcons’ bowling assault, led by off-spinner Chris Inexperienced and medium-pacer Shamar Springer, held the Kings to a modest complete of 152 for eight of their allotted 20 overs. Nonetheless, the Falcons did not ship with the bat, managing solely 126 for eight of their reply, with Khary Pierre’s deadly spell of spin dismantling the highest order.
The loss marked the Falcons’ sixth defeat in eight video games, leaving them caught in fifth place on the CPL standings with simply 4 factors, forward of the last-placed St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, who’ve two. In distinction, the victory lifted the Kings to second place, equal on factors with the Barbados Royals however trailing on internet run price.
A gradual begin
The Kings’ innings received off to a gradual begin with Johnson Charles and captain Faf du Plessis including 40 runs for the primary wicket. Springer struck the preliminary blow, eradicating Charles for 25 off 20 balls, and moments later, Inexperienced eliminated du Plessis for 14, due to a surprising catch by Roshon Primus at further cowl. Inexperienced struck once more along with his subsequent supply, sending Roston Chase again to the pavilion because the Kings slumped to 42 for 3 inside six overs.
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Ackeem Auguste (35) and Tim Seifert (13) rebuilt the innings with a 42-run stand earlier than Inexperienced claimed his fourth wicket by dismissing Seifert, leaving the Kings wobbling at 87 for 5. Kofi James additional dented the hosts’ progress by eradicating Bhanuka Rajapaksa for a mere one run.
Nonetheless, David Wiese performed a significant knock, smashing an unbeaten 43 from 26 deliveries, together with 4 sixes and one 4. Wiese’s late assault, which included taking 20 runs from the ultimate over off Kelvin Pitman, lifted the Kings to a aggressive complete.
Inexperienced completed with spectacular figures of 4-22 from his 4 overs, whereas Springer took 3-19 from three overs.
Falcons’ innings by no means received going
In pursuit of a manageable goal, the Falcons’ innings by no means received going, with Participant-of-the-Match Pierre main the cost for the Kings. Kofi James struck a six and a 4 in his temporary cameo of 11, however Pierre had him edging to the keeper. Pierre then accounted for Sam Billings, who miscued a pull shot to quick midwicket, and delivered a magnificence to dismiss Jahmar Hamilton for a duck, leaving the Falcons teetering at 24 for 3.
Issues worsened for the guests when Justin Greaves was bowled by Noor Ahmad for 10, and Imad Wasim adopted with out scoring, falling to Chase because the Falcons crumbled to twenty-eight for 5.
Springer and Inexperienced, the bowling standouts, tried to salvage the chase with a 60-run stand for the sixth wicket. However when Springer was run out for 23 within the sixteenth over, any remaining hopes of a comeback have been dashed. Inexperienced topscored for the Falcons with 48 off 37 balls, however it wasn’t sufficient to avoid wasting the innings.
Pierre ended with 3-24 from his 4 overs, with Ahmad offering precious assist with 2-13.
