Royals seal nail-biting win at Warner Park

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC):

IN A dramatic Caribbean Premier League (CPL) match on Friday night, the Barbados Royals secured a nail-biting two-wicket victory over the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, chasing down 153 in 19.5 overs at Warner Park to claim their second consecutive win of the season.

After being sent in to bat, the Patriots stumbled early, losing their top three batters for ducks, a first in CPL history. Spinner Maheesh Theekshana wreaked havoc from the get-go, trapping Evin Lewis lbw with just his second delivery.

Two balls later, Theekshana bowled a beauty to dismiss Kyle Mayers, who was visibly stunned by the sharp turn. The nightmare continued for the Patriots when Dunith Wellalage trapped Andre Fletcher lbw, leaving them reeling.

However, the Patriots mounted a fightback through Wanindu Hasaranga (40) and Mikyle Louis (30), the duo punishing the Royals’ bowlers during the PowerPlay. Naveen-ul-Haq was particularly expensive, conceding 16 runs in one over.

But the momentum was short-lived as Louis was dismissed in the ninth over, triggering another collapse. Within the space of six balls, both Sherfane Rutherford (0) and Hasaranga departed, leaving the Patriots struggling at 84-6 in the 10th over.

Joshua Clarkson (24*) provided a late rescue act, batting until the end. He was initially given out lbw to Theekshana, but a successful review saved him.

Ryan John also played a crucial cameo, smashing 29 off 14 balls to lift the Patriots to a competitive 153-8 after 20 overs. Wellalage (3-25), Theekshana (2-16), and Obed McCoy (2-23) were the key bowlers for the Royals.

The Barbados Royals’ chase started poorly, with Rahkeem Cornwall falling for a duck off the second ball to Kyle Mayers. Anrich Nortje then delivered a painful blow to Quinton de Kock’s body, but the South African responded with a six before being bowled by Mayers in the fifth over for 19.

Kadeem Alleyne (30) and Dunith Wellalage (39), anchored the innings through the middle overs, but with eight runs needed off the final over, the Royals’ nerves were tested.

Jason Holder fell on the first ball to a spectacular catch by Clarkson at deep backward square for 17, but Nayeem Young proved to be the hero as he inside-edged John for four, before sealing the win with a towering six on the penultimate ball. Young finished not out on 17 off just seven balls.

Barbados Royals finished on 157-8 in 19.5 overs, clinching their second win of the season and extending their dominance over the Patriots to five straight victories. The Patriots, meanwhile, remain at the bottom of the table with just one win.