SLK VS JAM MATCH 1

Right then, that's it from the coverage of this game. The action in the CPL will continue of 18th August, 2023 when Saint Lucia Kings take on Barbados Royals. The first ball will be at 4.30 am IST (11 pm GMT, previous day). As you all know, you can join us early for the build-up. See you then! Cheers!

Faf du Plessis, the captain of Saint Lucia Kings starts by saying that he feels the opposition were able to score 10-15 runs extra. Later praises their spinners, as they were brilliant with their variations. States that he felt there might be some bounce in the wicket, but could not find much of it, hence went early for the spinners after assessing the deck. Informs that most of the scoring responsibly falls on him and Charles, they need to set a platform for the rest of the batters. Mentions that watching Chase bat the way he did, certainly is a promising sign for the team. Informs that this loss is a lesson for them, but hopes to up their game before they come out on the field again.

Brandon King, who is also the skipper of Jamaica Tallawahs wins the Player of the Match award for his exceptional outing with the bat. He says that being the skipper is a new territory for him but having such a side made his job easier. Adds that playing at the top always adds a bit more sense of responsibility and he enjoys that. Mentions that the bowlers made his job easier as they gave him the much needed advice and everything worked well for them. Mentions that he wasn't worried at any moment in the run chase and Salman Irshad bowled brilliantly in this match.

Stay tuned for the presentation...

Earlier in the innings, Saint Lucia Kings won the toss and opted to bowl first, although their bowlers could not justify their skipper's decision of bowling first, as the opening pair of Jamaica Tallawahs got off to a flier as they stitched a 41-run stand. Although, once this stand was broken they went on to lose a couple more wickets in quick succession, but could not get the run flow in check. Then in the middle over, the Saint Lucia Kings bowlers found it really difficult to get a hold of Brandon King, who just kept knocking the ball all across the park. His knock of 81 runs made sure to get them near the 185-run mark. Cameos from Fabian Allen and Imad Wasim came in handy as well for the defending champions. Eventually, like true winners they got over the line with some ease.

This was the time when Roston Chase was getting his eye-in and he tried to forge a partnership with Sean Williams to get their side to safer shore, but once again it was Chris Green who broke this partnership and put the opposition once again on the back foot. Then, Imad Wasim took the matter into his own hands, and went BANG, BANG! Two huge wickets, on consecutive deliveries and that brought Roshon Primus on the crease. He and Chase forged an alliance of 61 runs, the highest stand of this innings. These two batters hit a few lusty blows, but to be honest it was too little, too late. Brandon King, on the other hand, chose his bowlers wisely and Salman Irshad did well to apply the finishing touches in the final over as he picked up a brace and put the game to bed.

Chasing a high score was never going to be easy, but at the halfway mark of this stage, it was the Saint Lucia Kings who went back into the break with the momentum on their side, but still came out as the second best team here. The hosts got off to a decent start, but once the rain gods interrupted the game, it was all going downhill for them after resumption, as they lost their skipper on a timid score. Johnson Charles also quite struggled to find his timing, and was riding on his ladyluck as he got dropped twice in this game - once at 7 and then at 12. Although, eventually he slipped out on 24 after facing 22 deliveries. Certainly not the number he would've envisioned for himself. So far it were the spinners of Jamaica Tallawahs who did all the damage for them.

Jamaica Tallawahs, the defending champions are off to a flying start here in the new season. The pick up crucial points and will be elated with their performance under the new leadership of Brandon King. This is also his first stint as a skipper at senior level and he is off to a winning start here. Undoubtedly, Brandon King certainly led from the front in this curtain-raiser and his knock certainly made sure to take his side to a score that is defendable.

That's it as the defending champions start their campaign with a victory by 11 runs. Back of a length on off, Alzarri Joseph moves to his leg and smashes this towards deep mid-wicket for a single to close the game.

FOUR! A lazy bit of fielding converts the single into a boundary here. Yorker around the pads, Alzarri Joseph inside edges this rolling towards fine leg for a single but a misfield from Raymon Reifer converts it into a boundary.

Full toss on off, Peter Hatzoglou flicks this towards the deep square leg fielder for a single.

Who will come out now? It will be Peter Hatzoglou.

OUT! Second wicket for Salman Irshad for the night as he disturbs the timber yet again. Perfect yorker on off, Matthew Forde looks to swing wildly but misses out and the ball clatters into the off-pole.

Fuller one in middle, Alzarri Joseph drills this to long on for a single. 18 needed now of the last 4.

Alzarri Joseph comes in to bat now. Saint Lucia Kings need 19 runs off the 5 deliveries left.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! You miss I hit stuff right at the end. Low full-toss on leg, Roston Chase looks to launch this into another orbit but misses out as he loses his body shape. The ball sneaks underneath his bat and disturbs the timber.

FOUR! Cheeky but effective from Matthew Forde. On a length angling across the batter, Matthew Forde shuffles to his off and ramps this over short fine leg for a boundary.