Match Review: Guyana Amazon Warriors Seals the Deal with a Proper Team Effort

In a highly anticipated match of the 2024 Caribbean Premier League (CPL), the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) stormed to the top of the table with a commanding 35-run victory over the St. Lucia Kings (SLK) in Match 29. Going into the match, St. Lucia held the top spot, while Guyana trailed closely in second. However, this game saw a shift in fortunes as Guyana’s explosive batting and tight bowling led them to a comprehensive win.

Guyana Amazon Warriors Innings: 207/7 in 20 overs

The Guyana Amazon Warriors, opting to bat first, posted an imposing 207/7, with several key contributions from their middle order. Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer were instrumental in building a daunting total, both scoring fifties in aggressive fashion.

• Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Azam Khan provided a quick-fire start. Gurbaz scored 26 off 22 balls before falling to David Wiese, while Azam Khan blasted 26 off just 11 deliveries, hammering three boundaries and two sixes to keep the momentum strong.
• Shai Hope anchored the innings with a brilliant 56 from 31 balls, striking five towering sixes to keep the pressure on St. Lucia. His crucial 85-run partnership with Hetmyer was the turning point.
• Shimron Hetmyer played an explosive knock, scoring 58 from just 30 balls, including nine fours and one six. His aggressive approach pushed the Warriors beyond the 200-run mark.
• Late cameos from Romario Shepherd (24 off 16) and lower-order hitters ensured that Guyana finished strongly despite some disciplined bowling from Noor Ahmad (2/26 in 4 overs) and Alzarri Joseph (2/39).

While the St. Lucia Kings managed to grab regular wickets, they were unable to stem the flow of runs, with most of their bowlers being expensive, except for the young Afghan spinner Noor Ahmad, who maintained a tight line. David Wiese was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3/43, but his efforts were in vain as the Guyana batters capitalized on the rest of the attack.

St. Lucia Kings Innings: 172/7 in 20 overs

Chasing a mammoth target of 208, St. Lucia Kings struggled to get going despite a valiant unbeaten knock from their captain, Faf du Plessis. The South African veteran single-handedly kept the Kings in the game with an impressive 92* off 59 balls, hitting seven boundaries and four sixes.

• The Kings lost wickets at regular intervals, with no other batter except Alzarri Joseph (25* off 21) providing any substantial support to du Plessis. The rest of the top and middle order faltered under pressure.
• Johnson Charles fell early, scoring 12 off 8, before being caught by Imran Tahir off Gudakesh Motie.
• Roston Chase (5) and Aaron Jones (1) were quickly dismissed by the experienced Imran Tahir, who continued his brilliant CPL form with figures of 2/20 from 4 overs.
• Moeen Ali also played a crucial role with the ball, picking up two wickets for just 21 runs, including the important scalps of Ackeem Auguste and Tim Seifert.
• Gudakesh Motie ended with 2/27, helping Guyana apply consistent pressure as St. Lucia’s innings unraveled despite du Plessis’ heroics.

Despite a late surge from du Plessis, St. Lucia fell well short of the target, managing only 172/7 in their 20 overs. Their lack of partnerships and the inability of the middle order to contribute significantly meant that even du Plessis’ excellent innings couldn’t rescue them from defeat.

Turning Points and Key Performances

1. Shai Hope and Hetmyer Partnership: The 85-run stand between Hope and Hetmyer in the middle overs was the cornerstone of Guyana’s massive total. Their partnership allowed the Warriors to dominate despite some good individual bowling efforts by St. Lucia.
2. Tight Bowling from Guyana’s Spinners: Imran Tahir and Gudakesh Motie’s combined figures of 4/47 in 8 overs completely choked the St. Lucia chase, forcing them into errors.
3. Faf du Plessis’ Lone Battle: Du Plessis’ knock was a captain’s innings but with minimal support from the rest of his team, he was left to do too much. His brilliant 92* kept St. Lucia in the hunt, but without a significant partnership, the run chase fizzled out.

Impact on the Tournament Standings

With this victory, Guyana Amazon Warriors leapfrogged St. Lucia Kings to claim the top spot on the CPL 2024 points table. Both teams now have 14 points each, but Guyana’s superior net run rate (+1.313) compared to St. Lucia (+0.673) gives them the edge. This win not only boosted Guyana’s confidence but also set up an exciting race for the playoffs as the tournament nears its conclusion.

Conclusion

Guyana Amazon Warriors delivered a clinical performance in all departments, outplaying St. Lucia Kings and reclaiming the top spot in the CPL 2024 standings. With the playoffs approaching, this win will be a huge morale booster for the Warriors, while St. Lucia Kings will need to regroup quickly to stay competitive. As the CPL heats up, both teams are in strong contention for the title, and this clash has set the stage for an intense finish to the tournament.