Spirited performances from Tim David and Alzarri Joseph stood out for Saint Lucia Kings as they went down to Barbados Royals by six wickets in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2022 on Friday.
Despite the defeat, Tim David and Alzarri Joseph displayed their class with bat and ball. While David showed his mettle with a brisk 40 off 23 balls, including four fours and two sixes, Alzarri Joseph continued his wicket-taking form, taking his overall wickets tally in the tournament to 10.
The Royals, who remain on top of the table, won the toss and chose to bowl.
Kings’ skipper Faf du Plessis made a tactical change from the side that beat Jamaica Tallawahs, as Jeavor Royal was replaced by Mark Deyal with an aim to nullify the Royals’ left-handed heavy batting.
The Kings got off to a steady start, and despite losing Niroshan Dickwella for 18, managed to reach fifty runs in the powerplay. The Royals’ bowling attack did not give the Kings’ batters much breathing space, and Johnson Charles and Faf du Plessis both were back in the dugout at the halfway point of the innings.
The Royals’ efforts on controlling the run rate were largely effective. That was until Tim David entered the fray. Ably supported by David Wiese, the pair notched up a crucial partnership of 79 runs in 43 balls, which allowed the Kings’ to set the Royals a target of 170. The Kings racked up 61 runs in the last five overs.
Roston Chase gave the Kings’ a dream start to the second innings, getting the dangerous Quinton de Kock out for a golden duck.
However, Corbin Bosch and Kyle Mayers took the game to the Kings’ bowling. When Alzarri Joseph finally broke their 84-run partnership at the end of the 9th over, the score read 91/2. Joseph sent Kyle Mayers to the pavilion on 33, with Bosch still firing on all cylinders.
Corbin Bosch eventually departed after a well-made 81 off 50 balls, taking the game completely away from the Kings. Jason Holder and captain David Miller then comfortably took the Royals home with nine balls to spare.
Brief Scores: Saint Lucia Kings 169/5 (Tim David 40, Hayden Walsh Jr. 2/19) lost to Barbados Royals 163/8 (Corbin Bosch 81, Alzarri Joseph 3/32) by six wickets.
