St.Lucia Zouks had to endure heartbreak in the final of the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League, losing out against a more experienced and consistent Trinbago Knight Riders side. Nevertheless, there were reasons for the Zouks to be proud as two of their star performers for the season ended with momentous personal accolades.
There was plenty to celebrate on a personal level for Kiwi pacer Scott Kuggeleijn as he ended the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League as the leading wicket-taker of the tournament. Kuggeleijn picked up 17 wickets in CPL 2020, finishing one ahead of Mujeeb ur Rahman of Afghanistan.
The 28-year-old was brought in as a late replacement by the Zouks, after South Africa’s Anrich Nortje and Rilee Rossouw couldn’t make it to the Caribbean due to visa limitations. His inclusion in the squad however has proved to be an inspired selection, as Kuggeleijn has inadvertently delivered in all games.
Kuggeleijn picked up at least one wicket in all but two of his games in CPL 2020, and was an integral part of the Zouks plans in the powerplay overs. He picked up two quick wickets in the semi final against the Guyana Amazon Warriors as well, triggering off that batting collapse. The pacer also became the first New Zealand bowler to take a four-wicket haul in the CPL.
“Credit to our bowlers, Scott getting two wickets set the tone for us. I am proud of my boys,” said skipper Daren Sammy after the semi final, speaking in praise of Kuggeleijn.
Safe hands from the skippa Daren Sammy not once but twice and is our Googly magic moment from match 30. #CPL20#SLZvJT#CricketPlayedLouderpic.twitter.com/nzZTaLS9Q9
— CPL T20 (@CPL) September 6, 2020
Apart from Kuggeleijn, St.Lucia Zouks captain Daren Sammy also had something to celebrate about as he won the Republic Bank Catch of the Tournament, for taking a one-handed diving catch at first slip against the Jamaica Tallawahs, to dismiss Rovman Powell.
“I'm really proud of the boys. Before the tournament, nobody counted us in but we have been resilient. You don't need superstars if your team believes in itself. We've been trying for eight years to get to the final but we're here now. Disappointed yes, but we were beaten by a better team,” said the skipper after the final in the press conference.
