AI Simulation, CPL | St Lucia Kings begin title defence with thrilling win over St Kitts and Nevis Patriots

Pitch and Weather

Saint Lucia Kings won the toss and decided to bat first.

Saint Lucia Kings: Tim Seifert (wk), Johnson Charles, Ackeem Auguste, Shadrack Descarte, Roston Chase, Tim David, David Wiese (c), Oshane Thomas, Alzarri Joseph, Tabraiz Shamsi

Saint Kitts and Nevis Patriots: Andre Fletcher (wk), Kyle Mayers, Rilee Rossouw, Mikyle Louis, Alick Athanaze, Jason Holder (c), Jyd Goolie, Dominic Drakes, Naseem Shah, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Waqar Salamkheil

Opting to bat first, Saint Lucia Kings got off to a rapid start with Tim Seifert and Johnson Charles unafraid to play their shots against the swinging new ball under overcast skies. The duo struck three boundaries each with the latter contributing a maximum to go with it as the side raced to 48 in the powerplay, even though both lost their wickets in quick succession either side of the field restrictions. The introduction of mystery spinner Waqar Salamkheil helped exert further control for the Patriots as Ackeem Auguste and Roston Chase struggled to make an impact, stitching together a sluggish run-a-ball 30-run stand before the former fell to the Afghan. Chase could not last for much long either as Holder struck twice in one over and suddenly the Kings found themselves reeling at 92/5 with six overs to go. Enter Tim David, who took anyone that came in his way to the cleaners with three sixes and as many fours in his 24-ball stay to rack up 42 runs. Skipper David Wiese played a supporting role at the other end, his 11-ball 15 taking the Kings to 152/6 at the end of their allotted 20 overs.

In response, Andre Fletched began much like his rivals by flaying two fours and as many sixes in the powerplay  ut Kle Mayers could not replicate the effort from the other. His tepid stay was eventually ended in the sixth over by Alzarri Joseph, who made it a double whammy by dispatching Fletcher for his 18-ball 26 just three deliveries later to leave the score reading 41/2 after six. Mikyle Louis' struggles in the tournament continued as he faced 11 balls for a single digit score before falling victim to Tabraiz Shamsi, with the Proteas spinner also scalping Alick Athanaze for 19 off 16 in the third over of his spell. Meanwhile, Rillee Roussow kept the chase alive at the other end, picking his moments to score the odd boundary and keep the required rate in check. However, once David Wiese got the Proteas and Holder out in quick succession, the Patriots were left needing 50 in the last five overs with just four wickets in hand. Dominic Drakes and Naseem Shah played quick but brief cameos to take the game right to the last over with 14 runs required but the batting firepower had run out by then as the Kings cruised to victory by eight runs.      

Tim David took home the man of the match honours after blasting three sixes and as many fours in his 24-ball knock of 42 to ensure what turned out to be a winning total for the Kings.

Scorecard