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CPL 2024 highlights: Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Saint Lucia Kings, Qualifier 1
cricket.com
03 Oct 2024Saint Lucia Kings beat Guyana Amazon Warriors by 15 runs (DLS method)
Player of the match
Johnson Charles - SLK
All
Wickets
4s
6s
SLK
GUY
So, that is all from this game. No one can fight the rain gods, not even local, Guyana Amazon Warriors and they have to do it all over again against Barbados Royals. Thankfully, they finished in the top two in the group stages, and that gives them a chance to have another shot at the finals. Do join us for Qualifiers 2 on the 4th of this month at 4.30 am IST (11 pm GMT, the previous day). Do join us early for the build-up. Till then, cheers!
The captain of Saint Lucia Kings, Faf du Plessis says that it was controversial to bat first but in a semi-final like this you always want to put runs on the board. Adds that the new ball spun a bit too much, but Charles was simply brilliant with the bat. Mentions that he and Charles have been consistent at the top for a few seasons now and it is good to score some runs personally as well. Says that Charles has worked on his game, and he is now taking on the spinners as well which he struggled to do earlier. States that they have adapted to conditions really well this season barring a couple of games at home. Further adds that he was gutted when he got injured just before the final last time when they made and it is always hard for a team to lose a key batter as he was in good form back then. Tells that it was still a last-ball finish but he would have liked to make an impact. Ends by saying that he is happy that he will be getting the chance this season and they will give everything to win the title.
Imran Tahir, the skipper of Guyana Amazon Warriors says Saint Lucia Kings played really well and feels they let themselves down in the Powerplay, they were trying different options and unfortunately, Paul got out, so they could go with another opener in the next game. Mentions they came back well in the second half of the first innings. Credits the way Moeen Ali bowled with the wet ball in the death overs. Shares that they are a local team and they know the conditions better than anyone else. Admits they won't let their fans down and try and win against the Royals.
Johnson Charles is the Player of the Match. He says that the game plan was to have positive intent. Adds that he has been dismissed most by left-arm spinners but you have to keep finding ways to score runs and keep a positive mindset. Mentions that the game is evolving and you have to evolve with it as well. Says that you have to keep up with the pace of the modern game and that is why he has brought in those shots like the switch hits to his game. Further adds that he and Faf understand each other well and they have different playing styles which also helps them unsettle the bowlers and it is a treat to bat with the skipper. Tells that he is very happy to qualify for the final with Saint Lucia. Ends by saying that technically this is their year with gold medals coming in Track and Field and Hurdles and now they are in the final.
...Presentation...
All credit to the Kings' bowlers. They were right on the money at the start. Alzarri Joseph with his wicket-maiden first over and David Wiese's wicket in the first over set the tone for the rest of the innings. Had it not rained, Saint Lucia Kings would have defended this total as they had a lot of runs to play with. It was all possible thanks to Johnson Charles' incredible 79 off 45 deliveries. He was the main architect of the total. Faf du Plessis gave him able support with his fifty and Saint Lucia Kings got a perfect finish from the likes of David Wiese and Tim Seifert as well. However, the rain god had the last say.
Moeen Ali said in a quick chat halfway through the game that the dew have started to kick in but it was not the case when Saint Lucia Kings had the ball in the hand. Also, the decision to open with Keemo Paul didn't work. Guyana Amazon Warriors couldn't make most of the Powerplay and instead lost the momentum early on in the innings. Hope and Gurbaz got off to a start but failed to continue. Guyana Amazon Warriors kept on losing wickets and felt like it would be a long chase but Shimron Hetmyer revived the innings by hitting four sixes in two overs. He almost started the comeback before the rain arrived.
UPDATE - The inevitable has happened. The match has been called off and SAINT LUCIA KINGS ARE INTO THE FINALS. However, Guyana Amazon Warriors will feel gutted, they'll feel the rain probably arrived at the wrong time as despite losing wickets, the way Shimron Hetmyer was batting, anything was possible but Guyana Amazon Warriors still have one more shot for the finals as they'll face Barbados Royals in Qualifier 2.
UPDATE - 8.26 am IST (2.56 am GMT) - We have started to lose overs now! However, the rain has slowed down and we can see a Super Sopper working around the covers. The ground staff are waiting for the drizzle to fully stop so that we can be back on the field but they are racing against time now. Also, the cut-off time for this game to restart is 8.55 am IST (3.25 am GMT), so we have just less than half an hour now on our hands. Let's hope for the best.
UPDATE - 8.09 am IST (2.39 am GMT) - We have lost close to 50 minutes now and the live visuals show no movement on the ground as well. The covers are firmly in place and the wait goes on. Soon, we will start losing overs and the DLS might come into effect as well. Fingers crossed.
UPDATE - 7.45 am IST (2.15 am GMT) - It is still raining in Guyana and all the spectators are either under the shed or an umbrella. However, there is some wind blowing around and hopefully it takes away the shower with it. Stick with us for more news.
Oh..no! There is a bit of a drizzle in Guyana and it is enough for the umpires to halt proceedings here. The players are walking off the field and the covers are coming on now. Just as we started typing, the rain has picked up pace, and the big cover comes on now as well. If we do not get a restart, Saint Lucia Kings will go through to the final as Guyana Amazon Warriors are 15 runs behind on DLS at the moment. Hopefully, we do get more action because we have a long time left in the match. Stay tuned for further updates.
Over 13
0
1
2
6
0
6
Moeen Ali*
1 (2)
Shimron Hetmyer
37 (18)
Roston Chase
1/31 (3)
GUY
106/4
0
12.6
Roston Chase to Moeen Ali ,15 runs off the over. 29 runs off the last two. Flat and on middle, Ali nudges it to square leg.
1
12.5
Roston Chase to Shimron Hetmyer ,Full and on off, Hetmyer turns it to mid-wicket for a single.
2
12.4
Roston Chase to Shimron Hetmyer ,Superb fielding! Full and on leg, Hetmyer sweeps it fine to fine leg. Matthew Forde runs to his left and dives, flicks it back and saves two. Hold on! Looks like Forde's elbow has touched the ropes but the third umpire doesn't think so. Just two.
6
12.3
Roston Chase to Shimron Hetmyer ,SIX! it's raining sixes. 100 up! Hetmyer is putting on a show! Floated full and outside off, Hetmyer takes a couple of steps forward and smokes it over long off for a six.
0
12.2
Roston Chase to Shimron Hetmyer ,Quicker one, full and on leg. Hetmyer keeps it out.
6
12.1
Roston Chase to Shimron Hetmyer ,SIX! Hetmyer has made up his mind! He is going after whatever is in his arc. This is full and around off, Hetmyer gets underneath the ball and thumps it over long on for a biggie. The man at long on jumps but to no avail.
Over 12
1
6
6
0
1
W
Shimron Hetmyer*
22 (13)
Moeen Ali
1 (1)
Noor Ahmad
1/35 (3)
GUY
91/4
1
11.6
Noor Ahmad to Shimron Hetmyer ,Flat and outside off, Hetmyer cuts it to deep point and keeps the strike. A wicket but 14 runs off the over.
6
11.5
Noor Ahmad to Shimron Hetmyer ,SIX! Two in a row! Powered from Hetmyer! Slightly short and on middle, Hetmyer rocks back and pulls it to square leg, again has enough power to clear the fence.
6
11.4
Noor Ahmad to Shimron Hetmyer ,SIX! Nailed it! In the hitting arc this time, full and on off, Hetmyer slogs it over deep mid-wicket and it goes over the ropes.
0
11.3
Noor Ahmad to Shimron Hetmyer ,Flat and on middle and leg, spins back in. Hetmyer looks to slog-sweep but the line was too close to hit that shot. He misses.
1
11.2
Noor Ahmad to Moeen Ali ,Very full and outside off, Ali drives it to point for a single.
Moeen Ali walks out to bat now.
OUT
D Pretorius
2 (3)
b N Ahmad
Wkt
#4
4s/6s
0 / 0
SR
66.66
W
11.1
Noor Ahmad to Dwaine Pretorius ,OUT! OHH WOW! BEAUTY from Noor Ahmad! Guyana Amazon Warriors are falling apart here. Ahmad tosses it up, full and on middle, gives a bit of flight and makes it to spin in. Pretorius leaves a big gap open as he tries to drive it but misses and it goes through the gate to hit the stumps. 19th wicket of the season for Noor!
Over 11
1
1
2
1
W
1
Dwaine Pretorius*
2 (2)
Shimron Hetmyer
9 (9)
Roston Chase
1/16 (2)
GUY
77/3
1
10.6
Roston Chase to Dwaine Pretorius ,Tad short and outside off, Pretorius cuts it to point for a single.
1
10.5
Roston Chase to Shimron Hetmyer ,JUST SHORT! Flighted full and on off, Hetmyer checks his shot and lofts it over to long off. The fielder runs in and dives but the ball falls just short of him. Half-hearted shot from Hetmyer. A single is taken.
2
10.4
Roston Chase to Shimron Hetmyer ,Tosses it up, full and on leg, Hetmyer gets low to sweep but mistimes it to fine leg for a couple of runs.
1
10.3
Roston Chase to Dwaine Pretorius ,Flatter delivery, wide outside off, Pretorius hits it to point for a single. Off the mark.
Dwaine Pretorius is the next man in.
OUT
S Hope
27 (22)
c D Wiese b R Chase
Wkt
#3
4s/6s
1 / 2
SR
122.72
W
10.2
Roston Chase to Shai Hope ,OUT! GONE! What a wicket this could prove to be! Hope perishes as he tries to up the ante. Chase bowls it short and outside off, holds a bit into the surface. Hope goes back to pull but plays off the higher part of the blade and off the outer up, shoots straight up and to point where David Wiese takes a sitter.
1
10.1
Roston Chase to Shimron Hetmyer ,Flatter and outside off, Hetmyer punches it to cover for a single.
DRINKS! Guyana Amazon Warriors are currently behind the 8-ball but Hope and Hetmyer are stitching a much-needed partnership. The required run rate has climbed to 13 almost and Guyana Amazon Warriors have to take their chances and not waste any further overs. Saint Lucia Kings will be happy at this stage but with the dew starting to kick in, they have to come up with smarter plans to stay in the game.
Over 10
0
1
0
1
6
1
Shai Hope*
27 (21)
Shimron Hetmyer
5 (6)
Noor Ahmad
0/21 (2)
GUY
71/2
0
9.6
Noor Ahmad to Shai Hope ,Flatter, full and on off, Shai Hope stabs it off the inner half of the bat back to the bowler.
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