Halfway through the 2023 Republic Bank CPL, Saint Lucia Kings have positioned themselves strongly at the pinnacle of the table with six points from five matches. While our journey has seen both ups and downs, the scales have been tipped favorably by the positives.
Guided by Darren Sammy, our squad is determined to surpass last season's playoff finish and secure a stronger standing. Having been runners-up in the preceding two editions, the ultimate goal remains clear - to clinch our maiden CPL trophy.
Our campaign commenced with a closely contested encounter against the Jamaica Tallawahs. Despite the eventual loss due to Brandon King's brilliance, our commendable fight left a mark. Faf won the toss and elected to field first, with Alzarri Joseph leading our bowling charge. Restricting Tallawahs to 187 in 20 overs, our bright start with the bat saw us stumble but not without a fight. Roston Chase and Roshan Primus nearly pulled off a comeback, reflecting our robust lower-order resilience.
A praiseworthy highlight of this season is our record of dismissing opponents in every 20-over match. Our bowling unit showcased its prowess once more against the Barbados Royals. Backed by stellar batting performances from Faf and Sean Williams, we set an imposing target of 201. With disciplined bowling, we bundled out the Royals for 147, with Matthew Forde's 3/12 standing out, securing our first points on the board.
However, the subsequent matches were dampened by rain interruptions. A truncated 5-over affair against Guyana Amazon Warriors resulted in a point each due to incessant rainfall. Similarly, our encounter with Saint Kitts and Nevis Patriots suffered abandonment without a ball bowled. With that, we concluded the Saint Lucia leg and headed to Saint Kitts for the next phase.
After a well-deserved week's rest, we faced Trinbago Knight Riders. This game marked Faf's final appearance before undergoing elbow surgery. Defending a target of 167, Faf's sendoff knock of 57 off 36 balls was a fitting contribution. Our bowlers dismantled the Knight Riders' lineup, with Sikandar Raza taking the reins as captain. The victory, a 54-run margin, showcased our prowess yet again, as we dismissed the opposition for 113 within 15 overs.
Securing the top spot at the halfway juncture, our focus now shifts to the second half of the tournament. Under Raza's leadership, our squad remains aligned in their quest for the coveted CPL title. As the Kings continue to rise, the journey ahead holds promise and excitement.
