Barbados Royals’ barren run in this year’s Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) stretched on last night, as Antigua & Barbuda Falcons pulled off a nail-biting four-wicket win at Kensington Oval.
After being asked to bat, the Royals piled up a commanding 187-4 from their 20 overs. Opener Brandon King shone brightest for the Royals, hammering a scintillating 98 not out laced with six fours and seven towering sixes, one of which sailed over the sightscreen and into the Bridgetown night. Quinton de Kock (27) and Sherfane Rutherford (29) chipped in with cameos to set a daunting target.
In reply, Falcons opener Andries Gous played the innings of the night, carrying his bat for a classy 85 not out that anchored the chase and kept their playoff hopes alive. He and Amir Jangoo got the visitors going with a rapid 38 in the first four overs, before Daniel Sams and Ramon Simmonds struck in quick succession.
But the Royals’ fielding woes proved costly. Seven chances went down, with Chris Green putting down four — two in consecutive overs after the powerplay and another in the 11th — which allowed the Falcons to stay within striking distance.
Even after Fabian Allen and Shakib Al Hasan fell trying to accelerate, Gous calmly steered the chase. Having brought up his fifty off 32 balls, he struck a fourth six in the 18th over and then received yet another reprieve when Green shelled a catch the very next delivery. That left the Falcons needing 19 off 12 balls, and despite a tense finish, they scrambled home off the final ball via the bat of Barbadian allrounder Shamar Springer. (JC)
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