SLK VS GUY T20S

That’s all from this entertaining game, where Saint Lucia Kings became the first team to defeat Guyana Amazon Warriors this season. Up next in CPL 2025, it’s the Trinbago Knight Riders taking on the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons. That match will be played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on 28th August, Thursday at 4.30 am IST (11 pm GMT, previous day). As always, you can join us a bit earlier for all the build-up and pre-match buzz. Until then, take care and goodbye!

The victorious skipper of Saint Lucia Kings, David Wiese, says that the openers gave them a strong momentum. Points that chasing 200 is not easy on this ground. Highlights that they executed well with the ball in the first 10 overs, but appreciates Romario Shepherd for the way he changed the momentum in the backend. Admits that they didn't bowl according to the plans in that phase and on being asked about Oshane Thomas' over going for 33 runs, he says maybe Oshane tried a bit too much there, but also says that he bowled well in his first spell. Stresses that they need to go back, relax and return with better plans and execution. Points out that without Ackeem's impetus in the beginning, they wouldn't have been able to get into a strong position. Says the way Auguste batted and went about his business was wonderful to see. Appreciates the way he took the responsibility. On the support, he says the fans have been fantastic and is hopeful that they will come out in big numbers in their remaining fixtures as well.

The captain of Guyana Amazon Warriors, Imran Tahir, says that they lost early wickets, and that is one thing he can point out. Adds that the way Romario Shepherd played it was brilliant. Says they should have defended the total, but sometimes you just have to give credit to the opponents and praise Ackeem Auguste for his knock. Mentions that 202 was a good score, but the quality and depth that they have, they should be scoring 230-240. Further adds that they just did not bowl well and failed to use the wind to their advantage. Says there were a few dropped catches and misfields, and there are a lot of areas to improve. Ends by saying that they do not take any game for granted and are looking forward to the next one in Trinidad.

Ackeem Auguste is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his match-winning knock of 73 runs. He says that it feels really good and thanks God and the coaches for believing in him. Shares that Daren Sammy just asked him to stick to basics and back his abilities. Tells that he looked to play as freely as possible. Mentions that there is a good rapport amongst the guys. Also adds that the turnout has been great from their supporters and ends up by saying it was great to perform in front of his family.

Presentation Time...

Guyana Amazon Warriors came into this game as the only unbeaten side, but as we had highlighted earlier, their Powerplay bowling was a concern and it proved costly again, with 86 runs conceded in that phase. That’s far from ideal, even when defending a big total. On the positive side, Jediah Blades impressed on his CPL debut with a couple of wickets, Gudakesh Motie also struck twice, and Dwaine Pretorius chipped in with one, but no one could escape the storm created by Ackeem Auguste. Sometimes, you just have to tip your hat to the opposition. A couple of dropped chances in the field didn’t help either, and they’ll know there’s room for improvement heading into the next game.

Earlier in the game, Guyana Amazon Warriors put up a big total on the board, but the scoreline doesn’t quite reveal the full story. They were in deep trouble at 78/5 before Romario Shepherd turned the game on its head with some breathtaking hitting. His assault on Oshane Thomas - 33 runs in a single over, equalling the CPL record, completely shifted the momentum. Shepherd carried on relentlessly, finishing unbeaten on a blistering 73 off just 34 balls to power GAW past 200. For Saint Lucia Kings, the bowlers had the upper hand in the first half, with Tabraiz Shamsi and Khary Pierre keeping things tight, and the latter chipping in with a wicket. David Wiese also held his own, but the outing proved disastrous for Thomas and Keon Gaston, who both leaked over 50 runs.

Despite losing Johnson Charles early, the Saint Lucia Kings got off to a flying start, thanks to Tim Seifert but especially young Ackeem Auguste, who made batting look effortless. The pair stitched together a brilliant 87-run stand, with SLK racking up 86 in the Powerplay, their highest ever in CPL  to set the perfect platform. Seifert departed, but Auguste carried on in style, smashing a sparkling 73 off just 35 balls to keep the chase on track. A couple of wickets fell in the middle, yet the Kings remained composed, and some lusty blows from Tim David and Aaron Jones steadied the nerves before skipper David Wiese fittingly sealed the deal with the winning runs.

What a spectacle we’ve just witnessed - an absolute run-fest! The Saint Lucia Kings have delivered a chasing masterclass, and the home crowd is buzzing, dancing, and soaking in every moment of joy. Fittingly, it was one of their very own, Ackeem Auguste, who rose above the big names and carried them home, a performance that could well ignite the Kings’ campaign from here. Disappointment for Guyana Amazon Warriors, though, they fought hard and played some brilliant cricket, but on this night, they had to endure their first defeat of the season. A repeat of last season's final, and Guyana has been defeated for the first time after scoring more than 200.

FOUR! THE KINGS STILL RULE THE WARRIORS! What a wonderfully constructed run chase this has been from the hosts! Jediah goes full and just outside off, David Wiese hits through the line and drives it between mid off and cover for a boundary. SAINT LUCIA KINGS WIN BY 4 WICKETS AND WITH 11 BALLS TO SPARE!

FOUR! Oh, what a shot! With short fine leg in the circle, Dwaine Pretorius bowls short and angles into the body. Khary Pierre waits back and pulls aerially, but off the top edge. But since the fielder is inside the ring, he just had to clear the fielder for a boundary at deep fine leg. Saint Lucia Kings need just 4 runs to win!

Keon Gaston is the next man in.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Another twist in the tale? A well-directed slower delivery from Pretorius, on a length and outside off, nibbling away from the batter. Aaron Jones covers the off stump and plays it lazily away from the body, trying to access the off side. As a result, a faint outside edge is found and Shai Hope does the rest behind the wickets. Aaron Jones departs for 16 (12).

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Another twist in the tale? A well-directed slower delivery from Pretorius, on a length and outside off, nibbling away from the batter. Aaron Jones covers the off stump and plays it lazily away from the body, trying to access the off side. As a result, a faint outside edge is found and Shai Hope does the rest behind the wickets. Aaron Jones departs for 16 (12).

Short of a length, outside off, David Wiese plays with a horizontal bat and cuts it to deep point for one more.

The runs required are below double figures for the Kings! Fuller delivery, on middle and leg, Aaron Jones whips off his pads, over mid-wicket for a single.

Wide outside off, on a shortish length. David Wiese slashes it over point. Ben McDermott from deep cover runs across to his left and intercepts it. One taken.