Rahkeem Cornwall Shines as Barbados Royals Crush SKN Patriots in CPL 2024 Match 18

In a one-sided encounter during Match 18 of the 2024 Caribbean Premier League (CPL), the Barbados Royals showcased their dominance, crushing the struggling St Kitts and Nevis Patriots by nine wickets. The match, played at a lively Kensington Oval, was marked by a standout performance from Rahkeem Cornwall, whose devastating five-wicket haul dismantled the Patriots’ batting lineup. Cornwall’s remarkable spell of 5/16 was instrumental in restricting the Patriots to a meager total of 110, which the Royals chased down with ease, thanks to a brisk half-century from Quinton de Kock. This win not only solidified Barbados Royals’ position at the top of the points table but also highlighted Cornwall’s all-round brilliance and De Kock’s consistent run-scoring, as the Royals continue to emerge as strong contenders for the CPL 2024 title. Meanwhile, the Patriots, reeling from their seventh defeat in eight games, find themselves at the bottom of the standings, searching for a spark in what has been a dismal season.

Also Read: Player Replacements in the 2024 CPL

Rahkeem Cornwall Bowling Masterclass

The star of the night was undoubtedly Rahkeem Cornwall, whose 4-over spell of 5 for 16 stifled the Patriots’ hopes of posting a competitive total. Right from the outset, Cornwall was on point, getting key breakthroughs and applying relentless pressure. His performance included the wickets of Andre Fletcher (32), who was looking dangerous at the top, as well as Mikyle Louis, Odean Smith, Hasaranga, and Ryan John, all of whom failed to make any significant contributions.

Cornwall’s most crucial dismissal, however, came when he removed the explosive Wanindu Hasaranga for just 10 runs. Hasaranga, known for his power hitting, was threatening to build momentum for the Patriots, but a well-judged catch by Rovman Powell off Cornwall’s bowling ended his stay. Cornwall’s spell was as economical as it was destructive, giving away just 4 runs per over and allowing the Patriots no room to recover.

His bowling figures of 5/16 stand as one of the best bowling performances in CPL 2024 so far, reminding everyone of his all-round capabilities in the shortest format of the game.

Patriots’ Batting Collapse

The Patriots’ innings never really gained traction after Cornwall’s relentless bowling dismantled the top and middle order. The only notable resistance came from skipper Andre Fletcher, who scored 32 off 22 balls before falling to Cornwall. Fletcher’s efforts, however, were in vain as the other batsmen faltered around him. Kyle Mayers (1) and Rilee Rossouw (9) fell cheaply, and with wickets tumbling at regular intervals, the Patriots were all out for a paltry 110 in just 19.1 overs.

Joshua Da Silva (25) and Anrich Nortje (22) attempted to stabilize the innings, but with little support from the rest of the lineup, the total was always going to be below par. Naveen-ul-Haq also played a key role in keeping the pressure on the Patriots, claiming 3 wickets for 21 runs, while Obed McCoy chipped in with 2 for 11.

De Kock’s Sublime Form Continues

Chasing 111, the Barbados Royals made short work of the target, reaching 113/1 in just 11.2 overs. Quinton de Kock, the tournament’s leading run-scorer, continued his blistering form with an unbeaten 59 off 38 balls, including three fours and four towering sixes. De Kock’s ability to anchor the innings while scoring at a rapid pace has been one of the highlights of the Royals’ campaign so far.

The South African wicketkeeper-batsman has now amassed 367 runs in six innings at an astonishing average of 91.75 and a strike rate of just over 170. His partnership with Kadeem Alleyne (25 off 15) set the platform for a comfortable victory. Alleyne was the only wicket to fall, trapped leg-before by Hasaranga in the sixth over. Alick Athanaze (22* off 15) then joined De Kock to seal the win with ease.

Patriots’ Bowling Struggles

The Patriots’ bowling attack failed to contain the Royals’ aggressive batting approach. Kyle Mayers and Anrich Nortje, both key bowlers, were expensive, conceding 24 and 25 runs in their respective 3-over and 2-over spells. Wanindu Hasaranga managed to pick up the solitary wicket of Alleyne but was still expensive, going for 22 runs in his two overs.

Tabraiz Shamsi and Ryan John could not make much of an impact either, as the Royals comfortably chased down the total with nearly 9 overs to spare.

Points Table and Outlook

With this win, Barbados Royals now sit comfortably atop the CPL 2024 points table with five wins in six matches. They have been a dominant force throughout the tournament, thanks in large part to the form of their star players like Quinton de Kock and Rahkeem Cornwall. Meanwhile, the SKN Patriots remain at the bottom, managing only one win out of their eight matches.

As the Royals march toward the playoffs, the Patriots move closer to end of their miserable campaign, as they only two more games remaining and play their last game on 23rd September. With both bat and ball misfiring, they will need major changes next season.

Royals into the Playoffs

Rahkeem Cornwall’s brilliant five-wicket haul was the defining factor in the Barbados Royals’ comprehensive victory over the SKN Patriots. Supported by a fluent half-century from Quinton de Kock, the Royals cruised to their fifth win of the tournament. With Cornwall’s all-round abilities and De Kock’s consistency at the top of the order, the Royals are now firm favorites to go deep into the CPL 2024 playoffs. On the other hand, the Patriots are left searching for answers in what has been a difficult season so far.