St Lucia Kings vs Antigua and Barbuda Falcons: Match 17 Review – 2024 CPL

The 2024 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has been delivering thrilling moments, and Match 17 between the St Lucia Kings and Antigua and Barbuda Falcons not truly a thriller but was definitely a great display of all-round t20 cricket. The clash, held on a bright afternoon at Warner Park, Basseterre, had its fair share of highs and lows, with St Lucia Kings emerging victorious by 26 runs. This victory further solidified their place in the upper tier of the points table, while the Falcons suffered their sixth defeat in eight matches, leaving them in a precarious position.

This match was defined by effective bowling, missed opportunities, and a few standout individual performances. Let’s take a closer look at how both innings unfolded and what key moments shaped the outcome.

Also Read: West Indies in the 2025 Champions Trophy

St Lucia Kings Struggle but Post a Competitive Total

St Lucia Kings, after being asked to bat, found themselves in early trouble but managed to post a competitive total of 152/8 in their 20 overs, thanks to some late-game heroics from all-rounder David Wiese.

Top-Order Woes

The Kings’ innings started on a positive note, with openers Johnson Charles and Faf du Plessis looking to set the tone. However, after a few promising shots, Charles fell for 25 off 20 balls, caught by wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton off Shamar Springer’s bowling in the fifth over. Du Plessis followed soon after, with Chris Green getting him caught in the deep for a modest 14 off 12 balls. Within six overs, the Kings were at 42/2, and the quick fall of Roston Chase for a golden duck in the very next ball left them reeling at 42/3.

Ackeem Auguste, batting at number three, steadied the ship, showing resilience with a well-paced 35 from 28 balls. But the middle order continued to crumble, with Tim Seifert and Bhanuka Rajapaksa falling cheaply to the incisive bowling of Green and Kofi James, respectively. Rajapaksa, particularly, struggled, managing only a single run before his dismissal.

Wiese to the Rescue

At 87/5 by the 13th over, it looked like St Lucia might fall well short of a competitive total. Enter David Wiese. The veteran all-rounder played a vital role, smashing 43 runs off just 26 balls, including a flurry of late sixes and fours. His clean hitting and composed knock took the Kings past 150, a score that seemed improbable when they were struggling. Wiese was ably supported by lower-order contributions, especially from Shadrack Descarte, who chipped in with 13 off 14 balls.

Chris Green was the standout bowler for the Falcons, claiming an impressive 4/22 from his four overs. Shamar Springer also chipped in with 3 wickets, but despite their efforts, the Falcons failed to completely restrict the Kings from getting to a defendable total of 152/8.

Falcons Falter in Run Chase

Chasing a target of 153, the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons were expected to mount a serious challenge. However, a combination of disciplined bowling from the Kings and poor shot selection from the Falcons’ batters saw them manage only 126/8 in their 20 overs.

Collapse of the Top Order

The Falcons’ chase got off to a shaky start, losing Kofi James for 11 in the second over. Justin Greaves followed shortly after, bowled by Noor Ahmad for 10, leaving them at 28/5 by the end of the sixth over. With top-order stalwarts like Sam Billings (5) and Jahmar Hamilton (0) falling cheaply to Khary Pierre, the Falcons were in deep trouble. Imad Wasim, often a dependable figure in the middle order, also fell for a 10-ball emberassing duck, further compounding the Falcons’ woes.

Chris Green’s Lone Resistance

Skipper Chris Green tried to mount a resistance and spearheaded the middle-order fightback. He played a resilient knock of 48 off 37 balls, with some clean strokes that momentarily gave hope to the Falcons. Green, however, lacked substantial support at the other end, as wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals.

Shamar Springer, who had been instrumental with the ball, failed to deliver with the bat, scoring 23 off 32 balls before being run out. With the required run rate climbing and wickets running out, Green attempted to accelerate but was eventually dismissed in the 18th over by Noor Ahmad.

Tight Bowling Seals the Victory for Kings

The Kings’ bowling was on point throughout the innings, applying consistent pressure on the Falcons’ batters. Khary Pierre was the star with the ball, returning figures of 3/24 from his four overs. His crucial wickets of key top-order players like Billings and Hamilton tilted the game decisively in the Kings’ favor. Noor Ahmad was equally impressive, finishing with 2/13 in his four overs, containing the Falcons with his deceptive spin.

Alzarri Joseph, though a bit expensive, claimed the wicket of Fabian Allen, while David Wiese and Roston Chase chipped in with important economical spells that ensured the Falcons never really got back into the chase. Eventually, Antigua and Barbuda Falcons limped to 126/8, falling 26 runs short of the target.

Key Takeaways

• Khary Pierre’s All-Round Performance: Khary Pierre’s all-around display was instrumental in the Kings’ victory. His 3 wickets, coupled with some tight fielding, earned him the well-deserved “Man of the Match” award.
• David Wiese’s Late Heroics: Wiese’s 43 off 26 balls proved to be the game-changer, pushing the Kings to a competitive total and giving them enough of a cushion to defend.
• Falcons’ Batting Collapse: Antigua and Barbuda Falcons’ batting lineup once again faltered. Their inability to build partnerships and constant fall of wickets undermined their chase, despite Green’s valiant effort.

St Lucia Kings on the Rise, Falcons in Trouble

The win propelled St Lucia Kings to second place on the points table with four victories in six matches. They have shown their ability to bounce back from challenging situations, and with players like Wiese and Pierre stepping up, they look like serious contenders for the 2024 CPL title.

On the other hand, the Falcons have much to reflect on. With only two wins in eight games, their campaign is hanging by a thread, and they will need to rectify their batting issues urgently if they are to turn their season around.