Match 18, Bridgetown, September 04, 2023, 05:30 AM
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots
220/4(20.0ov)
Barbados Royals
223/2(18.1ov)
Barbados Royals beat St Kitts and Nevis Patriots by 8 wickets
Right then, that is it from this blockbuster of a match where many records were broken but Barbados Royals got the historic win and keep their hopes alive in the tournament. There is a break now as we move to the Trinidad leg next. The next match will be between Trinbago Knight Riders and Guyana Amazon Warriors on 6th September, Wednesday at 4.30 am IST (11 pm GMT, Previous Day), but as you know you can join us early for all the build-up. Until then, goodbye and cheers!
Rovman Powell, the victorious skipper of Barbados Royals says that he felt very happy when the winning runs were hit. He credits the guys especially Rahkeem Cornwall for this chase. He adds that he expected him to perform well but he didn't expect it to be this explosive and him reaching a 100. He feels that they can improve on their bowling and felt they couldn't restrict the opposition to a lower score. He also adds that there is always room for bowling options and improvements and he will think about it. He mentions that bringing Rahkeem out to bowls was just him trying out something new and he struck taking two wickets. He ends by mentioning that he is happy that he himself could also contribute with the bat.
Sherfane Rutherford, the captain of St Kitts and Nevis Patriots says that they played on a good wicket but he was disappointed when he dropped Rahkeem Cornwall. Adds that 220 should have been enough but they did not stick to their plans. Mentions that you have to get Cornwall out early on or else he could take the game away from you as he did here. Says that they have nothing more to lose and it is all about staying positive and give everything in their next games.
Rahkeem Cornwall is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his 102 off 48 and also taking 2 wickets. He feels that the pitch was really good and he played to his strengths. He says that he dedicates his hundred to his two sons and mentions that it is the birthday of one of them. He adds that the fans keep him going as they cheer hard. He felt that it would be big innings after the half stage. He thanks his family and fans for always supporting him
Presentation Time...
Earlier in the game, after electing to bat first St Kitts and Nevis Patriots posted a massive total on the board thanks to three amazing fifties from Will Smeed, Andre Fletcher, and skipper Sherfane Rutherford who remained unbeaten and showed his six-hitting ability throughout his innings. Rahkeem Cornwall picked up a couple of important wickets for Barbados Royals while Carlos Brathwaite got one. While chasing, it was a one-man show as Cornwall smashed a terrific hundred while captain Rovman Powell stayed till the end to steer his team home.
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, on the other hand, will try to forget this bowling effort as soon as possible because there were not many positives for them. When you are defending 220 and the opponents chase it down in 18.1 overs, something is not working right. Sherfane Rutherford dropped Cornwall on 36 and that has ultimately cost them the game. He also may have missed a trick by not putting Dominic Drakes early into the attack but it would not have made much difference as Rahkeem Cornwall did not spare anyone here. Corbin Bosch and Drakes picked up the two wickets but they have a lot of work to do before their next match.
Barbados Royals got off to a flier with Kyle Mayers playing a few lusty blows before getting out but Rahkeem Cornwall looked in the mood right from the start. He absolutely destroyed the ball and the bowlers to all corners of the park while Laurie Evans played a great supporting role. They added 86 runs together to set up a good platform and the skipper Rovman Powell joined Cornwall in the middle to make sure that they utilized the good start. Cornwall continued to punish the bowlers and registered a magnificent hundred, but had to retire out after that. However, Powell remained unbeaten on 49 and along with Alick Athanaze finished things off with 11 balls to spare.
CORNWALL CARNAGE! This match was all about him and with a stunning century he has helped Barbados Royals to get this record-breaking chase. This is the highest successful chase in T20s at this ground and the big man made it look like a cakewalk. A victory that will remain in the memory of the fans for a long, long time.
In over# 19
4
1wd
Dominic Drakes 34/1(2.1)
18.1
4
FOUR! That is a record victory for the Barbados Royals. That is the highest successful run chase and Alick Athanaze has finished it off with a boundary. Dominic Drakes bowls it on length and outside off. Alick Athanaze stands tall and guides it square of the wicket in the gap at deep point. The ball runs away to the fence for four runs to finish off the match. Rovman Powell is stranded on 49 but the victory means much more to him and it is the courtesy of Rahkeem Cornwall.
18.1
1wd
Short and way down leg. Alick Athanaze swings and misses as the umpire calls a wide.
In over# 18
1
1
0
2
6
1
Benny Howell 40/0(3)
17.6
1
On length and on top of leg. Alick Athanaze has nudged it to square leg for a single to end the over.
17.5
1
On the hard length and on the body. Rovman Powell punches it to covers for a single.
17.4
.
Very full outside off. Rovman Powell drives it back to the bowler who stops it well.
17.3
2
A full toss on the pads. Rovman Powell flicks it off the deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
17.2
6
SIX! UP UP AND AWAY! Benny Howell bowls it short and outside off. Rovman Powell muscles it over long off from his crease and all the way beyond the fence for a maximum. He wants to end things fast.
17.1
1
Full and on the pads. Alick Athanaze pats it to square leg for a single.
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots have gone overtime and only four fielders can be outside the inner ring now.