CPL 2021: Faf Du Plessis and Roston Chase end St Kitts and Nevis Patriots winning streak

Faf du Plessis’ first franchise T20 hundred helped the St Lucia Kings end St Kitts & Nevis Patriots’ undefeated streak in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2021. Kings crushed the table toppers by 100 runs. The Patriots put the Kings into bat after winning the toss. Kings put up a stellar display of batting, courtesy Faf and Roston Chase. The Kings lost just two wickets as they put a mammoth total of 224. Faf got going from the start and did not look back, scoring a 60-ball 120. This is the third-highest score in CPL history. An entertaining cameo from Roston Chase who scored 64 off 31. The Patriots never really got into the chase and were bowled out for 124. Despite the lone efforts of Evin Lewis, who smashed 73 off 42 to keep the score line somewhat respectable.

OUTSTANDING!!! What a performance by @faf1307 120 not out which wins our @fun88eng magic moment from match 15. #CPL21 #SLKvSKNP #CricketPlayedLouder #Fun88 pic.twitter.com/bnmqDpxNF4

— CPL T20 (@CPL) September 4, 2021

FAF AND CHASE BLOW AWAY THE PATRIOTS

The first innings saw the Kings batsmen refuse to let Patriots bowlers settle. The tone was set at the top by Faf when he whacked Naseem Shah for two fours and a six in the second over. His opening partner Andre Fletcher was happy enough to give him most of the strike. However, Fletcher fell shortly after the powerplay and Fawad Ahmed outfoxed a stuttering Keron Cottoy, which allowed Faf and Chase to come together for a blistering partnership.

THE SPICEMAN! Andre Fletcher goes BIG with the @OmegaXL hit from match15. #CPL21 #SLKvSKNP #CricketPlayedLouder #OmegaXL pic.twitter.com/NOGPrS2hEd

— CPL T20 (@CPL) September 4, 2021

The last eight overs produced 116 runs. Death over specialist Dwayne Bravo came in for heavy punishment. Chase and Faf began their assault with three fours in his 13th over. Later on, Chase hit went berserk and smashed Bravo for three more fours and a six. The most prolific wicket-taker in T20 history conceded 50 in 3.2 overs before leaving the field with a groin injury. Dominic Drakes completed the over but he was expensive as well, leaking 40 runs in 2.4 overs. Naseem was then dispatched for 21 in the final over as the Kings piled up 224.

A TAME CHASE!

The Patriots needed all their big guns to fire, but were hampered through the first five overs. Managing only 28 by then. Big guns Devon Thomas and Chris Gayle were both sent back to the pavilion by Alzarri Joseph, without making a significant dent in the target. Surprisingly, there was enough time for Chase to bowl a maiden over to Evin Lewis. However, the opener was the only one who kept the flame flickering for his side.

He caught fire around the sixth over. A combination of ordinary bowling and clean ball-striking saw him bring up his half-century in 25 balls – as many as it had taken du Plessis. The asking rate, though, never really came down below 12 and support from the other end was never there. Ravi Bopara scored just 4 off 13 balls in a 60-run partnership, while Sherfane Rutherford and Fabian Allen didn’t hang around long enough. Once Lewis fell, Keemo Paul and Alzarri Joseph ran through the lower order, taking three wickets each as the Kings gave their spirits – and their net run-rate – a huge boost.