The 2024 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) ended with an electric showdown between the Guyana Amazon Warriors and the St Lucia Kings, two teams that showcased their strength and resilience throughout the tournament. Held at the Providence Stadium, Guyana, the match was poised to be a spectacle as the Amazon Warriors aimed for back-to-back titles while the Kings were in pursuit of their maiden CPL championship. The Warriors, led by captain Imran Tahir, and the Kings, helmed by Faf du Plessis, promised a high-stakes battle on the slow, tricky surface of Providence, making every run and wicket crucial.
The match lived up to expectations, delivering a gripping contest full of twists and turns. Batting first, Guyana Amazon Warriors managed a competitive 138 for 8 in their 20 overs, thanks to a late flourish from Dwaine Pretorius and Romario Shepherd. The St Lucia Kings’ chase started shakily, losing four wickets with just 51 runs on the board. But it was the calm and calculated partnership between Roston Chase and Aaron Jones that turned the tide in the Kings’ favor, as they stitched together an unbeaten 88-run stand. The pair launched a counter-attack that stunned the Warriors’ bowling attack, ultimately leading the Kings to a six-wicket victory and their historic first-ever CPL title. It was a fitting conclusion to a hard-fought tournament, with Chase’s all-round brilliance and Jones’ timely aggression proving to be the difference-makers on the night.
2024 CPL Final Review
In the final, St Lucia Kings triumphed by six wickets, chasing down a modest target of 139 set by Guyana Amazon Warriors. The Kings were struggling early on in their chase, finding themselves at 51 for 4 in the 10th over on a challenging, slow surface. However, an unbeaten 88-run partnership between Aaron Jones and Roston Chase swung the game in their favor, silencing the home crowd.
Jones, who was almost retired out due to his slow start, turned his fortunes around by smashing 38 runs off just 12 balls in a remarkable recovery. Chase, battling illness, played a crucial supporting role, adding 39 runs off 22 balls. Together, they took the game away from the Warriors with their relentless assault in the final overs, including a game-changing 27-run over from Moeen Ali.
The Kings’ bowling unit, spearheaded by Noor Ahmad, who finished the match with figures of 3 for 19, stifled the Warriors throughout the first innings. Guyana Amazon Warriors struggled to gain any momentum, with only Romario Shepherd (19* off 9) and Dwaine Pretorius (25 off 12) adding some late firepower to push the total to a somewhat competitive 138 for 8.
Despite the Warriors’ solid start with the ball, including Romario Shepherd dismissing Johnson Charles early, the lack of consistent pressure allowed Kings to take control in the latter half of the game. Roston Chase capped off a stellar tournament by guiding his team to victory, earning himself the Player of the Match award.
CPL 2024: Tournament Review
The 2024 edition of the CPL was filled with thrilling contests, standout performances, and plenty of drama. The tournament saw its fair share of rain-affected games, nail-biting finishes, and individual brilliance. What made this season particularly memorable was how several key players rose to the occasion, but none more so than Noor Ahmad, who ended the season as the leading wicket-taker and the Player of the Tournament.
The tournament also saw its highest run-scorer, Nicholas Pooran of Trinbago Knight Riders, who amassed an impressive 504 runs across 11 innings. His belligerent batting, which included one hundred and several fifties, made him one of the most feared players in the competition.
For the eventual champions, St Lucia Kings, it was a season of remarkable turnaround, capped by their maiden CPL title. Guided by the experienced leadership of Daren Sammy and key performances from players like Johnson Charles, Aaron Jones, and Roston Chase, they fought through adversity to lift the trophy.
Key Performers of CPL 2024
Here are the top individual performers of this CPL edition:
Top Run-Scorers:
- Nicholas Pooran (Trinbago Knight Riders) – 504 runs
Innings: 11 | Average: 56.00 - Quinton de Kock (Barbados Royals) – 453 runs
Innings: 12 | Average: 45.30 - Johnson Charles (St Lucia Kings) – 452 runs
Innings: 12 | Average: 41.09
Pooran’s consistency with the bat led the run-scoring charts, and while his team couldn’t make it to the final, his efforts throughout the season were nothing short of remarkable. De Kock and Charles, on the other hand, were instrumental in their team’s progress to the latter stages of the competition, with Charles playing a crucial role in St Lucia Kings’ successful campaign.
Top Wicket-Takers:
- Noor Ahmad (St Lucia Kings) – 22 wickets
Innings: 12 | Average: 13.22 - Maheesh Theekshana (Barbados Royals) – 17 wickets
Innings: 12 | Average: 17.52 - Gudakesh Motie (Guyana Amazon Warriors) – 17 wickets
Innings: 13 | Average: 18.64
Noor Ahmad’s performances with the ball were pivotal for St Lucia Kings, particularly in the knockout stages. His ability to choke the opposition with tight lines and variations made him one of the tournament’s most valuable players. Theekshana and Motie also had impressive campaigns, with their wickets contributing significantly to their teams’ fortunes.
CPL 2024 Final Awards
- Player of the Tournament: Noor Ahmad (SLK)
- Player of the Match (Final): Roston Chase (SLK)
- Emerging Player of the Year: Jewel Andrew (ABF)
- Most Runs: Nicholas Pooran (TKR) – 504 runs
- Most Wickets: Noor Ahmad (SLK) – 22 wickets
- Highest Individual Score in Tournament: Quinton de Kock (BR) – 115
- Best Bowling Figure in Tournament: Rakheem Cornwall (BR) – 5/16
Best Playing XI of CPL 2024
Based on performances and impact across the tournament, here is Caribbean Cricket’s Playing XI for the 2024 edition of the CPL:
- Quinton de Kock (Barbados Royals) – WK
- Johnson Charles (St Lucia Kings)
- Nicholas Pooran (Trinbago Knight Riders)
- Roston Chase (St Lucia Kings)
- Aaron Jones (St Lucia Kings)
- Romario Shepherd (Guyana Amazon Warriors)
- Dwaine Pretorius (Guyana Amazon Warriors)
- Rakheem Cornwall (Barbados Royals)
- Noor Ahmad (St Lucia Kings)
- Gudakesh Motie (Guyana Amazon Warriors)
- Maheesh Theekshana (Barbados Royals)
This XI reflects the top performers in both the batting and bowling departments and could easily take on any opposition based on their form in CPL 2024.
The End of a Greatly Fought CPL Edition
The 2024 CPL final will go down in history not just for the thrilling cricket played, but also for what it represented for St Lucia Kings. Their long-awaited maiden title, after years of near misses, was a testament to teamwork, resilience, and clutch performances from key players like Aaron Jones and Roston Chase. With the dust settled on this year’s CPL, fans are already looking forward to what 2025 will bring, but this year will be forever etched in the memories of St Lucia cricket fans.