Twitter Reactions: Roston Chase, Tim David take Saint Lucia Kings to maiden triumph in CPL 2021

Saint Lucia Kings, on Sunday, registered their maiden win of the 2021 CPL after the 120-run loss at the hands of Jamaica Tallawahs. The team, led by Faf du Plessis, beat the Trinbago Knight Riders by five runs at Warner Park. The Knights, in the meantime, lost their second game out of three matches.

David injects the momentum

The Kings got off to a stupendous start as they managed 52 runs in the powerplay. Rahkeem Cornwall scored a 14-ball 23 before he gave a simple caught and bowled to Akeal Hosein. Thereafter, Ravi Rampaul inflicted a mini-collapse as he got rid of Andre Fletcher, Faf du Plessis and Mark Deyal.

Fletcher was finding his feet, having scored 28 off 25. The 68-run stand between Tim David and Roston Chase turned crucial in the context of the game. Even as David made a 32-ball 43, Chase stayed not out on 30. A 12-run cameo of Keemo Paul lifted the Kings to 157 for five in 20 overs.

Seifert’s knock goes in vain

In the run-chase, the Knights could hardly get going as they scored 35 runs in the powerplay. Tion Webster, playing his first game of CPL 2021, scored 18 before Chase dismissed him. Simmons and left-handed batter Munro scored 25 and 40 respectively, but they failed to go beyond a run-a-ball.

With 50 runs needed off 18 balls, Tim Seifert smacked 40 off 16 with five fours and three sixes. However, his efforts went in vain as Wahab Riaz bowled a brilliant last over to take the Kings home. Wahab also got the crucial wicket of Kieron Pollard. Chase became the Player of the Match.

The nature of this pitch is that you need to go deep: Faf du Plessis

Pollard, the TKR skipper, said that his bowlers leaked away too many runs and dot balls while batting didn’t help them either. Du Plessis also admitted that he got nervous in the death overs.

“I thought 150-plus on that pitch were about 15 runs too many. But can’t fault our bowlers much as they’ve been superb in the earlier games. Just need to find a way as the batting group. The dots don’t help, but getting out trying singles isn’t the answer either. We just need to find a way,” Pollard said.

“Strange game of cricket, that’s why we love the game. Keemo has been bowling well from that end, which is why I went for him in the 19th over. That’s what pressure does sometimes. Got me a bit nervous but we got across the line. The nature of this pitch is that you need to go deep. Need to scrap your way and then go big at the end, we did that,” Du Plessis said.

Here’s how the netizens reacted to the Kings’ victory