A top-order run feast followed by an all-round bowling display powered Barbados Royals to a thumping 80-run victory over Trinbago Knight Riders on Wednesday at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St Lucia. The Royals are the only unbeaten team in CPL 2022 so far, with 6 points in their bag and the top spot on the points table.
Earlier, the Knight Riders won the toss and opted to bowl first. With Rahkeem Cornwall missing out, a new Royals opening pair came out all guns blazing. The in-form Kyle Mayers was accompanied by Quinton de Kock, and the duo added 85 runs for the first wicket, 60 of them coming inside the Powerplay before Mayers fell right after scoring his half-century. His dismissal paved the way for David Miller, who put up an exhibition of boundaries in his 36-ball 60 as Quinton continued to play anchor. The Protea pair added another 58 runs to the third wicket and kept the momentum going in their favour. By the time Quinton walked back in the 14th over, a strong total was already on the cards. A quick late flourish from Azam Khan and Jason Holder ensured the Royals finished with 194/4 in their 20 overs.
Chasing a steep target of 195, the Knight Riders began strongly, scoring 12 runs off the opening over. But that blazing start was shortlived when the fast bowling duo of Oshane Thomas and Obed McCoy teamed up to dismiss both openers inside the first four overs. The innings was interrupted by rain, but the teams took the field soon enough without losing any overs.
Returning to the Playing XI in this game, Devon Thomas straightaway made an impact after the break, picking key wickets of Tim Seifert and Kieron Pollard in the same over. It was a Powerplay to forget for the Knight Riders, who were reduced to 42/6 in six overs. When Andre Russell fell in the 7th over, the rain gods once again made their presence felt. With no further chance of play possible and the mandatory five overs completed, the match was called off, with the Royals already ahead as per the DLS method.