After a win and a loss from our first two matches in the tournament, Saint Lucia Kings were looking to cement the top spot in the CPL with a win against Guyana Amazon Warriors. However, the rain had other ideas.
The earlier game at this venue had been washed out and minor delays in play were expected. Two hours after the original start time of the game, it was decided that it is going to be a 10-over game and the toss was to be followed shortly.
The rains though, never looked like going away, interrupting preparations time and again. Faf du Plessis had won yet another toss and decided to bowl first. The revised rules included 10 overs per innings, with 3 overs of powerplay and 5 bowlers can bowl a maximum of 2 overs.
Chris Sole took the new ball for us with Saim Ayub and Hemraj opening the innings for the Warriors. After a quiet start, rain began to pour down once again, causing yet another lengthy break in the game.
After yet another significant break in the game, the match was reduced to 5 overs, with one bowler able to bowl a maximum of 2 overs, with 2 overs of powerplay for the batting team. Alzarri Joseph began proceedings after the break with the innings’ 2nd over. In his very first ball, Chris Sole dropped Ayub at third man and thus gifting the Warriors an early lifeline after the break.
After a slow start due to the slightly wet outfield, the Amazon Warriors picked up pace and the boundaries started to flow in. That also resulted in wickets though, with Sole picking up the wicket of Hemraj in his 2nd over. Saim Ayub and Azam Khan continued to smash the ball all over the park. Jair McAllister picked up a wicket in the final ball of the first innings, dismissing Azam Khan for 21.
The Kings needed 59 of their 5 overs, as per the DLS method, but the rains made it impossible for us to conclude the match. The game had to eventually be called off, with the rains having the final say on the night. Next up for us is a match again tomorrow against Saint Kitts and Nevis Patriots, which will also be our last game in Saint Lucia for this season.
