Barbados Tridents beat Saint Lucia Kings by nine runs in a close encounter on Sunday night to go top of the points table in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
The Tridents were led by a match-winning knock of 61 off 31 balls by Sherfane Rutherford, who won the Man-of-the-Match award. He hammered four sixes in the last five overs to lift the visitors to 177-5 off 18 overs after the match was reduced by heavy rain.
It was a superb birthday performance by Rutherford, who turned 28 two days ago. He shared a crucial fourth wicket partnership of 79 with Rivaldo Clarke, who supported well with 23 off 17 balls.
Earlier opener Brandon King, with a steady start of 39 off 28 balls and left-hander Quinton deKock, with a sizzling 38 off 15 balls provided the perfect platform. In reply, the Kings were limited to 168-7 off their 18 overs.
The Bajans now have back-to-back wins following their victory over Jamaica Kingsmen by five runs last week at Sabina Park in Kingston. Rutherford also starred in that match with 50 not out. He is now fourth on the batting charts for this season with 111 runs at the best average of 111 and the best strike rate of 188. This has been a remarkable turnaround as he did not score a half-century in 2024 or 2025.
The tournament continues on Tuesday night when the Jamaica Kingsmen host St Kitts and Nevis Patriots at Sabina Park in Kingston.
The Tridents will now travel to Antigua and have a period of rest and training, before their next match which is a week away. They face the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons on Tuesday, August 25 under the floodlights at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium at 7pm. (PS)
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