The CPL 2023 group phase was brought to a close, with Guyana Amazon Warriors claiming an 88-run victory over Barbados Royals. Earlier, the Royals won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Expensive powerplay
Akeem Jordan has his first wicket in Pink! 💗 pic.twitter.com/OYAxs3IQwr
— Barbados Royals (@BarbadosRoyals) September 17, 2023
Debutant Akeem Jordan opened the floodgates of the GAW vs BR contest by getting rid of Saim Ayub (16). The latter mistimed his attempt to lift the ball over mid-on as it eventually spooned over to Royals skipper Rovman Powell.
Obed McCoy got his account for the evening started as he tricked Guyana’s Odean Smith (21) to carve a shot straight towards Alick Athanaze, stationed at point off the toe end.
Hope's century gets GAW close to 200
RIDICULOUS SCENES!!! Shai Hope hits Rahkeem Cornwall for 32 in the over to reach his first CPL 💯 🙌 - A clear winner for Republic Bank Play of the Day#CPL23 #GAWvBR#CricketPlayedLouder #BiggestPartyInSport #RepublicBank pic.twitter.com/NCYi5OZerX
— CPL T20 (@CPL) September 18, 2023
Guyana Amazon Warriors’ Shai Hope had four half-centuries in CPL 2023, but after a rampant attack on Rahkeem Cornwall in the 16th over, the southpaw reached his maiden T20 hundred inside just 41 balls.
Holder’s double raid
Breakthrough needed? Call Jason Holder. In the 17th and 19th over, the Barbados all-rounder grabbed the wickets of Shai Hope (106, 16.6 overs) and Azam Khan (9, 18.1 overs) to ease the pressure on the Royals bowling unit.
Three wickets in the final over and 227 to chase
Over 19.2 - Wicket
Over 19.3 - Wicket (Run out)
Over 19.4 - Wicket (Run out)
Obed McCoy’s deliveries in the 20th over saw Kevlon Anderson, Dwaine Pretorius, and Shimron Hetmyer depart in succession before GAW finally saw their innings wrap up at 226/7.
Royals reach 50 in 8.3 overs
The Royals’ run chase was rocky, losing four wickets inside 8.1 overs. A promising 20-run partnership between Jimmy Greaves (16) and Laurie Evans (13) served as the base for the team to close towards the 50-run mark.
Rivaldo Clarke, batting at number seven, was the Royals’ top run-getter with 54 off 43 runs. His partnerships with Jason Holder (38, sixth wicket) and Carlos Brathwaite (51*, seventh wicket) got the team to close their innings at 138/6.
With this, the shutter comes down on the Royals’ CPL 2023 adventure, and they finish fifth on the points with seven points - three wins and six defeats in 10 games.