As Saint Lucia Kings defeated Guyana Amazon Warriors by 15 runs (DLS method) in Qualifier 1, Johnson Charles (79 off 45) and Faf du Plessis (57 off 36) maintained their outstanding partnership from earlier in the season. Rain ultimately decided the game, leaving the hosts below the DLS par score, although the pair’s fifties helped the Kings reach an impressive total of 198/5. The Warriors found this target difficult to meet. As the asking rate increased, Shimron Hetmyer (37* off 18) appeared to be in excellent form, but the Warriors would constantly struggle to reach the DLS par because of the early wicket losses.
With Charles and Faf setting things up, it’s a pattern that has worked incredibly well for the Kings. Especially the former was at the peak of his deadly game, dispatching both pacers and spinners with ease. Although it gave Faf peace of mind, the South Africans weren’t afraid to punish the bowling. This season, Charles has been the buzz of the town thanks to his much-improved game against spin, and the hefty opener once again revealed his mettle against the Warriors’ formidable spin onslaught. With just 70 balls, the opening stand scored 124 and gave the impression that the pitch was much easier than it was.
Even though the home team was able to recover and keep the score below 200 after the dismissals of the two players, it was still a difficult pursuit in these circumstances. Moeen Ali (2-24) and captain Imran Tahir (0-29) were the only Guyana bowlers who did not receive a tonne of runs as they were unable to generate any pressure. Keemo Paul was the pinch-starter for this high pursuit when the Warriors punted, but it was unsuccessful. Before holing out against Alzarri Joseph, the all-round player scraped together a 15-ball 14. Shai Hope (27 off 22) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (24 off 18) both received starts, but neither was able to get going as they were destroyed by the pressure of the scoreboard.
The home team was able to recover after the dismissals of the two players and limit the score to less than 200, but in these circumstances, the chase was still difficult. All of Guyana’s bowlers were hammered as they were unable to generate any pressure, except Moeen Ali (2-24) and captain Imran Tahir (0-29). The Warriors then attempted a long pursuit with a punt, pinching first with Keemo Paul, but it was unsuccessful. Before holing out against Alzarri Joseph, the all-round player scraped together a 15-ball 14. Both Rahmanullah Gurbaz (24 off 18) and Shai Hope (27 off 22) received the start, but both were unable to get going as they were destroyed by the pressure of the scoreboard.
Hetmyer got out to a poor start, but after losing a few wickets, he decided to go after the opposition. After hitting two consecutive sixes off Noor Ahmad, the left-hander blasted two more off Roston Chase’s following over. Guyana was beginning to gather momentum, but sadly for them, that over proved to be the final one of the match as the rains came and ended the match early. Warriors will now play the Royals in Qualifier 2 in an attempt to advance to the final match.
Brief scores: Guyana Amazon Warriors 106/4 in 13 overs (Shimron Hetmyer 37*; David Wiese 1-3, Alzarri Joseph 1-9) lost to Saint Lucia Kings 198/5 in 20 overs (Johnson Charles 79, Faf du Plessis 57, Moeen Ali 2-24) by 15 runs (DLS method).
