Twitter Reactions: Faf du Plessis, Roston Chase propel Saint Lucia Kings to the second spot

At one point in time, Saint Lucia Kings were tottering at the bottom of the points table in CPL 2021. However, the Faf du Plessis-led team has won back-to-back games and have now moved to second in the points table. On Saturday, they beat the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots by 100 runs at Warner Park.

Du Plessis, Chase lift the Kings

After being put in to bat first, the Kings smashed 224 for the loss of two wickets. Andre Fletcher promised with a 19-ball 23 before Fabian Allen got rid of him. Keron Cottoy, batting at three, couldn’t make an impact either as veteran leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed accounted for his wicket.

However, Faf du Plessis rose to the occasion with a sparkling 60-ball 120, laced with 13 fours and five sixes. He got the apt support from Roston Chase, who made a 31-ball 64 with seven fours and three sixes. Both batters played until the very end and stitched a partnership of 124 runs off 56 balls.

Lewis plays a lone hand

In the run-chase, barring Evin Lewis, none of the Patriots’ batters could stand up. Chris Gayle smashed a couple of sixes before Alzarri Joseph found his outside-edge. Ravi Bopara couldn’t find any momentum and it was Chase, who trapped him in front and ended his misery in the middle.

Sherfane Rutherford and Allen couldn’t make contributions either. Lewis went on to score a 42-ball 73 with five fours and six sixes. Once Keemo Paul got rid of him, things went downhill for the Patriots. Joseph and Paul got three wickets each as the Patriots folded for 124 in 16.5 overs.

Can’t fault the team: Andre Fletcher 

After the win, Fletcher lauded Du Plessis for delivering under pressure and also talked about his team getting a good start. Dwayne Bravo, who didn’t come out to bat, updated on his groin injury and also had words of praises for Du Plessis.

“It was a brilliant innings. He was under pressure from the start of the tournament and he did well. We don’t have great power at the back end. Our aim is to see if we can get a good start. We were confident with 224, but the Patriots had a good batting line-up. So, we had to execute,” Fletcher said after the match.

“It’s a groin strain. Felt it when I delivered that the ball and felt I shouldn’t continue. Have to get a scan after I get back to the hotel and see how bad it is. It’s a good cricket wicket. Faf, class player, got the better of us. We played well and won five games. Can’t fault the team,” Bravo was quoted as saying.

Here’s how the netizens reacted to the Kings’ win: