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September 2, 2024
Quinton de Kock’s boundary-laden innings powered the Barbados Royals to a commanding nine-wicket victory over the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons in the fourth Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League match at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, Antigua.
Antigua & Barbuda Falcons vs Barbados Royals, Match 4
Antigua and Barbuda 145/9 (20 ov)
Barbados Royals 149/1 (15.3 ov)
Barbados Royals won by 9 wickets
The Falcons were inserted under blue skies but struggled with the bat in the face of tight bowling, losing two wickets inside the Powerplay and two quick wickets straight afterward to find themselves 47/4 and struggling to make a competitive total.
After scoring 50* in the Falcon’s first match of the campaign against St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, 17-year-old Jewel Andrew starred once again with a counterattacking 48 off 35 balls, including three fours and two sixes to help the Falcons post 145/9 as they looked for their first win of the tournament.
In a dominant display during the Powerplay, de Kock and his opening partner Rahkeem Cornwall delivered a striking performance that significantly advanced the Royals’ chase. Their aggressive batting dismantled the opposition’s early bowling efforts as they amassed an impressive 76 runs without losing a single wicket in the crucial first six overs. This explosive start not only set a solid foundation for the innings but also put substantial pressure on the opposition, making a considerable dent in the target and showcasing their ability to capitalize on the Powerplay’s scoring opportunities.
De Kock batted through the innings, finding more fluency and increasingly audacious shots in his locker as the innings progressed. He finished the match in some style by driving Mohammad Amir over extra cover for four and then depositing the Pakistani quick bowler back over his head for six to finish unbeaten on 87 of just 45 balls and wrap up a swaggering victory for the Royals in their first match of the 2024 campaign. The Royals looked good with both bat and ball. They also pulled off some fine catches and showcased tight ground fielding to further restrict the Patriots.
Jason Holder’s death bowling was exceptional, as he delivered a highly disciplined four-over spell in which he bowled 12 dot balls and took two crucial wickets while conceding just 21 runs. His performance was instrumental in restricting the opposition’s scoring in the crucial final overs. Complementing his efforts, the spin bowlers Theekshana and Wellalage also played a pivotal role by effectively containing the Falcons, further hampering their ability to score freely and build momentum. Together, these contributions ensured that the Falcons struggled to achieve a competitive total.
It was de Kock who bagged the Player of the Match award. Royals captain Rovman Powell explained after the game that the youngsters in the team are always picking the South African southpaw’s batting brains, and he was pleased with his side’s first outing. “The guys looked sharp and ready in the first game, which doesn’t always happen. It’s great. Once we have Quinny in our team, it gets better.”
Match Details:
Date: Sunday, September 1, 2024 15:00
Venue: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua, North Sound
Toss: Barbados Royals elected to bowl
Officials Umpires: Nigel Duguid (West Indies), Patrick Gustard (West Indies), Christopher Taylor (West Indies TV)
Match Referee: Denavon Hayles (West Indies)