GEORGETOWN, Guyana - The miserable season for the St. Kitts-Nevis Patriots continued yesterday (Sept. 21) when they suffered another defeat, this time against the Barbados Royals by 36 runs.
The Guyana leg of the ‘biggest party in sport’ bowled off yesterday morning under cloud-covered skies at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence.
With the conditions likely to favour swing in the morning, Patriots captain DJ Bravo won the toss and invited the high-flying Royals to bat.
Overnight rain from a Tropical Wave that affected the Windward Islands and stretched over to South America, left the pitch with a lot of moisture for the morning game.
Despite their early struggle, Royals managed a respectable 156/3, built on a 102-run partnership between Azam Khan (64) and Harry Tector (47).
A watchful start from the normally free scoring Royals saw them scoring, by their standards, a paltry 43 in the Power Play and the Patriots controlled the middle phase of the innings, only allowing 51 runs in 9 overs.
However, from the watchful partnership and mixed conditions, the Barbados strategy was to keep wickets in hand as they plundered 62 in the last 5 5vers.
Khan was especially brutal, blasting 38 off 16 in the death overs .
There was a wicket each for Duan Jansen, Akila Dananjaya and DJ Bravo.
In their reply, Patriots managed to match the Royals by scoring 43 in the Power Play as well without the loss of a wicket. However, Fletcher fell soon after with the score on 46 and two quick wickets followed thereafter, including Evin Lewis for a well played 41.
As the asking rate kept climbing, they lost their last 7 wickets for 20 runs, being bowled out in the 20th over.
Nyeem Young, playing his first game of the tournament, was the chief destroyer, bagging 3 for 5, and he was ably supported by Mujeeb ur Rahman 3 for 18.
The Patriots are now in a difficult position to qualify for the knockout round of the tournament. They currently sit fifth on the table with one game remaining.
The defending champions will lock horns with the Trinbago Knight Riders today in a must win encounter.
