CPL 2021: Barbados Royals keep semifinal hopes alive with fine win against Guyana Amazon Warriors

Barbados Royals continue to remain alive in the race for the playoffs in the ongoing edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), following a 45-run victory over Guyana Amazon Warriors. Glenn Phillips and Jason Holder delivered fine performances with the bat, with the former’s 44 making him the highest run-getter for the Royals. Holder smashed 22 runs from 7 deliveries in an innings comprising of two boundaries and sixes apiece, to help ensure a fine finish and lead the franchise on to a total of 185. Openers Kyle Mayers and Johnson Charles were key contributors as well, chipping in with 36 (20) and 40 (21) respectively. Romario Shepherd was the pick of the bowlers for the Warriors, accounting for three dismissals.

Disciplined performance with the ball by Royals

The Royals bowling attack never allowed the opposition batsmen to bat freely at any stage. Odean Smith (43 off 29 deliveries) and Mohammed Hafeez (30 from 25 balls) attempted their best to get going, but it was never going to be enough after being handed a target of 186. Nyeem Young was the pick of the bowlers, accounting for three dismissals. Jake Lintott and Raymon Reifer chipped in with two wickets apiece. Mohammad Amir, Ashley Nurse and Holder accounted for a dismissal apiece.

“Credit to the guys, it was a complete game, asked the batsmen to do well and they did so. When things don’t go well, it’s hard on us, they’ll be changes and chopping in the playing XI, but we did give the guys a fair opportunity (on dropping Shai Hope). The openers gave us a good start and we had the momentum with us. We just need to keep winning games,” said Holder following the triumph as quoted by Cricbuzz.

“In hindsight, we could have played an extra pacer”

Nicholas Pooran termed the conditions as a bit tricky in nature, adding that his team should have played an extra pacer.

“I’m not surprised, the wicket played well tonight, we backed ourselves to chase it down, it was a bit tricky. They came out positively and I thought we didn’t utilize the conditions well in the first 7-8 overs. I’m backing the batsmen 100%, we’ll peak at the right time – we have some real quality in this line-up, and believe they will do the job for us. In hindsight, we could have played an extra pacer, I think we got it wrong there,” he said.

Mayers was named as the Player of the Match, hailing the freedom to attack in the powerplay which was permitted.

“It was a good partnership at the top, we wanted to go into the match with a positive intent, wanted to take the attack to the bowlers and it paid off. There was no pressure on me as an opener, I could play with freedom in the PP. I thought the guys played well, the bowling was good and we used the conditions to our advantage. It’s a must-win situation for us, but we do have some world-class players. Momentum is important, it’s good for us and we’ll take the positives going into the next match,” his statement read.