SKN VS ABF MATCH 11

Right then, that is it from this game and it also marks the end of another week of CPL action. There is now a break of one day before action resumes as Saint Lucia Kings take on Trinbago Knight Riders at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia. That game will be played on 11 September at 4.30 am IST (11 pm GMT, the previous day) but you can join us a lot sooner for the build-up. Cheers!

Chris Green, captain of Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, reflects on their recent success, noting that the team enjoys winning in the last over and has maintained high spirits despite a tough start to the tournament. He praises the squad's depth and highlights a key player, calling him one of the best finishers in the world, and commending his consistent performance with both bat and ball. Green also speaks highly of Wanindu Hasaranga, recognizing him as a world-class player whose spin proved difficult for opponents. He credits Roshon Primus for executing two crucial sweeps that worked in their favor.

Andre Fletcher, the captain of St Kitts and Nevis Patriots says that it was a difficult wicket to start with but the way Mikyle Louis and Wanindu Hasaranga played got them to a fighting total. Adds that they thought it was a good total and needed to control the Powerplay which didn't happen and they did boss the opposition in the middle overs and can only say that the boys fought hard. On Mikyle Louis, he says that they all know he can bat and that is why he is in the national team and he told him to use the matchups to his advantage and he showed maturity. Ends by thanking the home crowd despite being disappointed and apologizes for not getting a win and will look to try hard.

Imad Wasim, named Player of the Match, expresses that the wickets suit his style of play. He mentions that he batted at number 8 due to an injury and found the pitch challenging. Winning the toss was crucial, and he praises Mikyle Louis for playing some incredible shots, helping the team post a strong total of 153. Imad explains their strategy in the middle overs, aiming to take wickets while focusing on bowling dot balls. He emphasizes that the team didn’t overdo anything, and it worked in their favor.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Chris Green won the toss and put the home side into bat on a tacky pitch and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots struggled to get going in the Powerplay and weren't aided by the small rain break either. However, there were a few individual scores of 20-plus runs in the middle order that steadied the innings somewhat before Mikyle Louis broke free at the death and smashed a fine 63 off just 36 balls to take the Patriots over the 150 mark. With the ball, it was an all-round effort by the Falcons, led by the three wickets of Mohammad Amir and Fabian Allen was the only one who was actually expensive. In reply, the Falcons scored heavily up top and managed to scamper through thanks to the long batting order and picked up their second win of the campaign.

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots end their home leg with yet another disappointing loss and they are now on the brink with just 1 win from 6 games and have only four more games to play in the group stage. Defending a decent total of 153 runs, they were blown away in the Powerplay by the Falcons' top order. However, they pulled things back really well led by the magic of Wanindu Hasaranga who picked up four wickets and even got them ahead in the game. Anrich Nortje too picked up 3 wickets but leaked runs when it mattered most and the loss of Kyle Mayers early on due to a hamstring injury forced Andre Fletcher to throw Dominic Drakes into the line of fire at the death and unfortunately, he couldn't deliver.

The run chase was certainly a topsy-turvy one and given how the middle overs panned out in the first innings, the Falcons made sure to make full use of the Powerplay. Brandon King who was playing his first game of the season, came out guns blazing and got ample support from Justin Greaves at the other end. The openers put their side in command before wickets started to tumble and the Falcons switched off in the middle overs. Sam Billings struggled his way to a few runs but it was the calm head of Imad Wasim coupled with a couple of small but vital cameos by Roshon Primus and former Patriots player Fabian Allen that sealed the win in the final over.

Back-to-back wins for Antigua & Barbuda Falcons and they get their revenge on St Kitts and Nevis Patriots by inflicting yet another home defeat. The Patriots now hold an unwarranted record of 12 consecutive losses at the same venue and their fans will have to wait for the next season in hopes to see a home win.

Fabian Allen wins it for his side! What a game of cricket! Dominic Drakes drops it short outside the off stump and Fabian Allen taps it slightly right of Odean Smith at point and the batters take a quick single to win the game!

FOUR! SLAPPED! Fabian Allen gets another boundary and the scores are tied! Dominic Drakes bangs a bumper at the body of the batter with pace and Fabian Allen stands tall on the crease and pulls the ball along the ground, beating deep mid-wicket to his right. 1 run needed for Antigua & Barbuda Falcons to win from 3 deliveries.

SIX! Fabian Allen, you beauty! Pickes up the slower delivery from Dominic Drakes on the pads and takes the front leg out of the way to swing the bat hard through the line of the ball. Gets it off the middle of the bat and the ball flies into the wind and goes over the deep mid-wicket boundary line. Antigua & Barbuda Falcons now need 5 runs off 4 deliveries!

BEATEN! Slower delivery from the back of a length just leaving the right-hander. Fabian Allen looks to slog it hard with the wind but misses the ball completely.

11 needed off the final over and it will be Dominic Drakes to bowl it. Can he defend 10 runs and be an unlikely hero for his side? Let's find out.

Single off the last ball as Fabian Allen drives an over-pitched delivery outside off towards sweeper covers off the front foot and keeps strike for the final over. Antigua & Barbuda Falcons need 11 runs to win in 6 balls.

Hits the length hard on top of the off stump line. Fabian Allen stays on the crease and drops it down.

Drops the length back on a slower deliver, right on top of the leg stump. Imad Wasim gets away from the stumps and slaps the ball along the carpet towards sweeper covers for a run.