Quinton De Kock was named Player of the Match for another confident knock with the bat, the South African southpaw Quinton De Kock has racked up 154 runs in three innings at an average of 77 in this year’s competition so far – powering the Royals to second in the table on six points with Guyana Amazon Warriors ahead of them only by run rate.
Quinton de Kock stepped up in the chase with a brisk 48 but persistent rain soon after forced a premature end to the contest with the Royals 10 runs ahead on DLS par score to be awarded the two points. In the thirteenth match of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Barbados Royals continued their winning streak with a narrow ten-run victory over Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, courtesy of the DLS method. Rain disrupted the match in Bridgetown, but the Royals managed to clinch their third consecutive win in the tournament
Pitch and Toss
Dimensions – 61m and 69m square boundaries, downtown – 73m. The surface looks smooth but it’s hard and firm. Tough for the bowlers reckons Danny Morrison in his pitch report
Barbados Royals skipper Rovman Powell won the toss and opted to field with quite a few changes in Keshav Maharaj, David Miller and a newcomer Rivaldo Clarke in his playing XI. Antigua and Barbuda Falcon’s skipper Chris Green batting first made no changes in his playing XI.
Justin Greaves, Sam Billings fifties in vain as Royals restrict them to 176 for 5
After being inserted the Falcons posted a competitive total of 176/5 largely thanks to a composed stand of 92 runs between Sam Billings and Justin Greaves, that was also a record for any wicket for the Falcons. Put in to bat first, Falcons’ opener Brandon King led the early attack in the powerplay with a boundary-filled cameo of 27 in 19 balls, including getting a reprieve on 17, in a half-century stand with Greaves. The pair had an identical 27 off 18 as the PowerPlay ended but King fell soon after and Greaves combined with Billings to slowly rebuild.
Billings overcame a measured start and switched gears after the Falcons had only progressed to the 100-run mark by the end of the 13th over. The pair raised their half=century partnership in the following over, and the wicketkeeper-bat then took the attack to Obed McCoy with four consecutive boundaries to kick start the death overs.
He also raised a 3-bll fifty for himself with the last of those fours. Fabian Allen’s final over – the 18th of the innings – provided double breakthrough and helped restrict some damage – but a few lusty blows from the lower order helped Falcons finish with a competitive total eventually despite late flurry of wickets.
Quinton De Kock stellar innings guides Barbados Royals third straight win by DLS method
In response the Royals got off to a shaky start, Mohammad Amir stitched together a maiden in the first over of the Falcons bowling effort, a frustrated Rahkeem Cornwall then plinked his seventh delivery, his first from Chris Green, straight to Roshon Primus at mid-off. Primus celebrated the catch keenly but his fortunes would take a dramatic turn shortly afterwards.
With the Royals on 81/2 off eleven overs, needing 96 runs off the remaining 54 balls Primus served up an over that went for 23 runs and seemed to last an eternity. The over saw Primus lose his radar with four wides and three chest high full toss no balls accompanying a two fours, a six and the wicket of Quinton de Kock caught behind for 48 off 30 balls.
By the end of the over the Royals had motored to 104/3 with a crucial run rate injection. The players came and went from the field a couple of times as the rain clouds built over Bridgetown, a decisive and heavy downpour seeing the match eventually called and curtailed with seven overs to go. The Royals comfortably ahead on DLS to run out winners by 10 runs.
Royals hadn’t yet scored a run off the bat before suffering a setback as Chris Green removed Rahkeem Cornwall. However, Quinton de Kock and Athanaze took their chances to make it a successful powerplay at 48/1. However, just as the partnership was beginning to get a bit threatening, a run-out against the run of play cost Royals a set wicket at a crucial juncture. At the halfway mark, Royals were behind the eight ball having just lost Athanaze on 34 (29 balls).
Things turned in Royals favour in a seemingly never-ending but equally dramatic 12th over that saw four wides, three no-balls, de Kock’s wicket, and overall 13 deliveries sent down by Roshon Primus. Two wides and a no-ball later, Quinton de Kock hit a six off the free-hit off the first legitimate delivery of the 23-run over, before departing on the fourth.
And David Miller dispatched the subsequent free-hits to the ropes. A 13-run 14th over helped put Royals ahead when rain arrived. Royals were 12 ahead then, and the play did resume 30 minutes later but only for a second spell of rain to force players off once more with Falcons still 10 runs in the arrears.
Presentations and Road Ahead
Quinton De Kock was named Player of the Match for another confident knock with the bat, the South African southpaw has racked up 154 runs in three innings at an average of 77 in this year’s competition so far – powering the Royals to second in the table on six points with Guyana Amazon Warriors ahead of them only by run rate.
The rain returns and there’s going to be another delay. Royals were ahead by 10 runs on DLS at this point. It’s coming down quite heavily at the moment and this could well be the game. There were big puddles forming on the covers. Doesn’t look good for the play to resume after the rains resides.
It’s official, play has been abandoned and the Royals win by 10 runs on DLS method. They were in control of the chase before the rain arrived thanks to a quickfire knock of 48 from de Kock at the top. Falcons were quite poor on the field, and that 13-ball over from Roshon Primus all but sealed their fate. Barbados Royals make it three straight wins from three matches, while the Falcons suffer their fifth defeat of the season.