BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – DESPITE a record-setting second-wicket partnership in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), the St. Kitts-Nevis Patriots suffered back-to-back defeats at Warner Park, falling to the St. Lucia Kings by five wickets in a rain-affected match.
The Patriots posted an imposing par score of 201/4 in their allotted 20 overs, with Evin Lewis leading the charge. Lewis, who is in exceptional form, smashed a blistering century, sending the ball to all parts of the ground. His 54-ball knock included seven boundaries and nine sixes.
He received strong support from all-rounder Kyle Mayers, who contributed 92 off 62 balls. Together, they set a CPL record with a 199-run second-wicket partnership.
Despite being in control for most of the game, the Patriots were unable to maintain their grip as the Kings, playing their opening match of the tournament, fought back. The Patriots had the Kings in early trouble at 24/4 inside four overs, with Mayers causing damage up front by dismissing both Johnson Charles and Ackeem Auguste.
However, the Patriots' bowlers struggled with their lines and lengths in the later stages, and fielding errors proved costly. Tim Seifert, who was dropped twice during his innings, capitalized on the chances, scoring 64 off just 27 balls. David Wiese added an unbeaten 34 off 20 balls, helping the Kings chase down the target.
Despite their strong start, the Patriots couldn't secure the victory, leaving them with a 1-2 record after three matches. Their sole win came against the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons.
Reflecting on the match, Seifert acknowledged that conditions had improved for batting as the game progressed, making the Patriots' total more achievable.
“The conditions got better for batting, and 201 was probably par for the wicket,” Seifert said. “We want to win the tournament like every team, but we also want to enjoy it. Winning these close games is huge for the tournament.”
Mayers, while pleased with his own performance, recognized the Kings' superior execution in the latter stages of the match.
“It was a good day for me personally, but it's disappointing that the team couldn't get over the line,” Mayers said. “The difference was that they executed better at the back end, and the rain took our spinners out of the game.”
