The Barbados Tridents secured a hard-fought nine-run victory against the St Lucia Kings in a rain-shortened 18-over match at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium. After the Kings opted to field, the Tridents posted a competitive total of 177 for 5. While Zachary Carter departed early, a 56-run partnership between Brandon King and Quinton de Kock provided stability. The innings was defined by Sherfane Rutherford, who arrived at the crease with the score at 90 for 3 in the 10th over. Rutherford delivered a blistering 31-ball 61, featuring three fours and five sixes. He targeted Matthew Forde before securing his first CPL fifty in three years with consecutive sixes in the 17th over. Despite his dismissal in the final over, a last-ball six from Chris Green boosted the Tridents to their final tally, with Roston Chase claiming 2 for 30.
In response, the Kings’ chase began with captain Roston Chase playing aggressively, hitting four fours and two sixes. However, the Tridents responded by removing both openers within two overs following a 41-run stand. The Kings faced further adversity when Jewel Andrew was forced to retire hurt in the eighth over after sustaining an injury while attempting a quick single. Ackeem Auguste attempted to anchor the innings, contributing 45 in a 55-run partnership with Charith Asalanka. Auguste reached his fifty in the 12th over, notably striking three sixes off Ramon Simmonds, but was eventually dismissed by Gudakesh Motie in the 14th over.
The match remained tense until the final stages, particularly when Daniel Sams struck consecutive sixes off Amari Goodridge in the 17th over to keep the Kings in contention. With 29 runs required from the final six balls, Matthew Forde launched a spirited assault against Ramon Simmonds, hitting two fours and a six. Simmonds maintained his composure under pressure, bowling a crucial slower delivery on the fourth ball to remove Forde from the strike. Joshua Bishop fell on the fifth ball, and although Maheesh Theekshana struck a boundary off the final delivery, the Kings finished at 168 for 7.
Gudakesh Motie proved instrumental for the Tridents, finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 22. The victory highlights the Tridents’ ability to perform under pressure in a condensed format. Brief Scores: Barbados Tridents 177/5 in 18 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 61; Roston Chase 2-30) defeated St. Lucia Kings 168/7 in 18 overs (Ackeem Auguste 63; Gudakesh Motie 3-22) by 9 runs. The report also notes that chasing 178 for victory, St Lucia Kings captain Roston Chase assumed the aggressor’s role, striking four fours and two sixes after opening the batting once more.
