[UPDATED] Zouks trump Patriots by 10 runs in CPL Match 7

Roston Chase (R) of St Lucia Zouks celebrates the dismissal of Joshua de Silva (L) of St Kitts & Nevis Patriots during the Hero Caribbean Premier League match 7, at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Saturday, in Tarouba. - CPL T20 via Getty Images
Roston Chase (R) of St Lucia Zouks celebrates the dismissal of Joshua de Silva (L) of St Kitts & Nevis Patriots during the Hero Caribbean Premier League match 7, at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Saturday, in Tarouba. - CPL T20 via Getty Images

FIERY spells from pacer Scott Kuggeleijn (4/33) and Roston Chase (3/12) propelled St Lucia Zouks to a well-worked 10-run victory over a winless St Kitts and Nevis Patriots when match seven of the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 continued at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba on Saturday.

Good performances with the bat from opener Andre Fletcher (46 off 33) and eventual Man of the Match Mohammad Nabi (35 not out) also played an integral role in leading the Zouks to the tournament’s highest total thus far, 172 for five after their 20 overs.

In their chase, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots produced several moments of batting brilliance with wicketkeeper/batsman Denesh Ramdin (46), Evin Lewis (29) and Sheldon Cottrell (26 not out) delivering commanding displays.

However, Patriots were outwitted with the ball and restricted to just 162/8 to maintain a winless (three from three) record at the 2020 CPL.

Sent in to bat, St Lucia Zouks started positively with Andre Fletcher square driving through cover for four runs off pacer Sheldon Cottrell. Pakistani Sohail Tanvir suffered the same fate in the very next over, this time Fletcher cutting past point for another boundary.

The blistering heat at the south venue seemed to have taken an early toll on Cornwall (4 not out) as he retired hurt due to dizziness into the third over. In came left-handed batsman Mark Deyal who showed his intent by launching Cottrell for a Hero maximum off the very next ball. Fletcher also punished Cottrell by striking another boundary past the fielder at point.

A wise decision by St Kitts and Nevis captain Rayad Emrit to insert Jon-Russ Jagessar into the bowling attack almost paid early dividends as Deyal was dropped by Ben Dunk in slips off the second ball. Fletcher, however, meant business and launched the spinner towards deep mid-wicket for six.

The Grenadian batsman continued to press forward smacking consecutive fours off Tanvir, playing past mid-on and then a square cut through point to bring up 50 runs for the Zouks. Deyal made the Patriots pay by hitting Jagessar over mid-wicket on the back foot for six then similarly against Ish Sodhi.

Skipper Emrit opted to intervene with the ball and broke the partnership of 56 runs off 30 balls by shattering Deyal’s (30 off 17) stumps (73/1).

Mohammad Nabi of St Lucia Zouks hits a six during the Hero Caribbean Premier League match 7 between St Kitts & Nevis Patriots and St Lucia Zouks, at Brian Lara Cricket Academy, on Saturday, in Tarouba. - CPL T20 via Getty Images

Although Emrit secured a wicket-maiden, new batsman Najibullar Zadran cracked two consecutive fours off Sodhi before he was also dropped at point by Tanvir. Zadran then worked Emrit for four to deep mid-wicket followed by Fletcher finding the gap towards deep point for another boundary.

Jagessar returned and executed a good length delivery which Fletcher (46 off 33) latched on to but sent the ball straight into hands of Kieron Powell (102/2). Roston Chase (4) entered and did not last after being caught behind by Denesh Ramdin off Jagessar’s spin (117/3).

Two runs later, Zadran perished out caught by Ramdin once more off Tanvir (119/4). Skipper Darren Sammy, who has yet to show his talent with the bat at this year’s tourney, flicked for four on his first delivery but was swiftly sent back to the stands edging outside to an in-form Ramdin (123/5).

Cornwall would make his return, with Mohammad Nabi at the crease and reintroduced himself with a big shot over bowler Cottrell for six. The combination of Cottrell and Emrit then slowed the batsmen’s progress late on.

Against Emrit, Nabi played down the pitch to Emrit who smartly turned towards the non-striker’s end to run out a trailing Cornwall (16) to send Zouks to 137 for six. Nabi continued to show good stride by cracking Tanvir for two more sixes followed by another six and four off Cottrell in the final over.

In reply, St Kitts & Nevis Patriots opening batsmen Evin Lewis and Chris Lynn only notched one run off the first over by Nabi. Canadian spinner Saad Bin Zafar, however, was blasted for 21 runs in the second over as Lewis smashed two fours and a six while Lynn also secured a boundary pulling away past mid-wicket.

Nabi returned in the third over, was struck by Lynn (14) through square leg for four, but snatched the wicket of the Australian caught by Zadran at square leg (28/1). While incoming batman Joshua Da Silva took his time to settle, Lewis continued to surge by lashing Kuggeleijn for six over mid-wicket followed by a slower delivery from the pacer, which was also dispatched to the boundary past short fine leg.

Da Silva (1) had no real impact which ushered a determined Ramdin to the crease. Ramdin got off the mark by hitting a single off Kesrick Williams which provided Lewis with an opportunity to play a textbook cover drive, down on one knee, through cover for four. Ramdin closed off the powerplay by securing another boundary off Williams, this time flicking over fine leg.

Chase would soon get his man as he sent Lewis packing forcing him to grab an outside edge into the hands of wicketkeeper Fletcher (40/2).

Zouks’ Chase and McCoy squeezed Ramdin and Ben Dunk for the next three overs as their required run rate continued to rise. Dunk (5) was next to go, bowled by Chase (54/3). Kieron Powell and Ramdin tried valiantly to strengthen the Patriots’ innings but tight fielding saw the pair find a tough time reaching the boundary mark.

Kuggeleijn’s return saw Ramdin come to life once more as he flicked over square leg for another maximum. The Kiwi pacer quickly claimed the scalp of Powell (7) who edged to Fletcher (103/5). Ramdin and Tanvir salvaged a couple runs off Nabi in the next over before the former welcomed Kuggeleijn with another boundary. His final delivery, however, saw Ramdin hit high into the air and into the safe hands of Nabi (117/6).

Tanvir (5) fell the very next ball courtesy Kuggeleijn (117/7). Skipper Emrit had a short stint, slamming Williams for six over deep mid-wicket and then going out caught by substitute Kavem Hodge (129/8).

Cottrell entered the fray and blasted 26 from 11 balls but it was little too late for the Patriots as they concluded on 162 for eight.

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots must win their next encounter against 2019 champions Barbados Tridents on Tuesday from 10am if they are to remain relevant at this year’s competition. They are the only team, to have not yet recorded a win thus far.

Meanwhile, the St Lucia Zouks will be hoping to extend their two-game winning streak when they return to action against the Guyana Amazon Warriors on Sunday from 2:15pm.

Summarised Scores

ST LUCIA ZOUKS 172/6 – Andre Fletcher 46, Mohammad Nabi 35 not out, Mark Deyal 30, Najibullar Zadran 28; Jon-Russ Jagessar 2/29, Sohail Tanvir 2/41, Rayad Emrit 1/14 defeated ST KITTS & NEVIS PATRIOTS 162/8 – Denesh Ramdin 46, Evin Lewis 29, Sheldon Cottrell 26 not out; Scott Kuggeleijn 4/33, Roston Chase 3/12 by 10 runs

This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

FIERY spells from pacer Scott Kuggeleijn (4/33) and Roston Chase (3/12) propelled the St Lucia Zouks to a 10-run victory over a winless St Kitts and Nevis Patriots when match seven of the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 continued at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, in Tarouba, on Saturday.

Sent in to bat, the Darren Sammy-led squad was led to a challenging score of 172 for six. Opening batsman and vice-captain Andre Fletcher top-scored with a quick-fire 46 off 33 balls (one six, six fours) while eventual Man of the Match Mohammad Nabi smashed 35 in just 22 balls (3 sixes, one four).

Mark Deyal (30) and Najibullar Zadran 28 also had good contributions with the bat for St Lucia Zouks. St Kitts and Nevis Patriots’ Jon-Russ Jagessar (2/29) and Sohail Tanvir (2/41) topped the bowling while skipper Rayad Emrit snagged one for 14.

In their turn at the crease, the Patriots produced several moments of batting brilliance but tight spells from Kuggeleijn and Chase restricted their chase. Strong performances from wicketkeeper/batsman Denesh Ramdin (46 off 35), Evin Lewis (29 off 20) and a late charge from Sheldon Cottrell (26 not out) was still not enough to get them over the line.

In the end, the Patriots were restricted to 162 for eight after their 20 overs, falling just ten runs short of their target with Kugglelijn and Chase doing the most damage.

This means the Emrit-led unit has now lost all three matches of their CPL campaign and must aim to eke out a win against reigning champions Barbados Tridents at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain on Monday from 10am.

ST LUCIA ZOUKS 172/6 – Andre Fletcher 46, Mohammad Nabi 35 not out, Mark Deyal 30, Najibullar Zadran 28; Jon-Russ Jagessar 2/29, Sohail Tanvir 2/41, Rayad Emrit 1/14 defeated ST KITSS & NEVIS PATRIOTS 162/8 – Denesh Ramdin 46, Evin Lewis 29, Sheldon Cottrell 26 not out; Scott Kuggeleijn 4/33, Roston Chase 3/12 by 10 runs

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"[UPDATED] Zouks trump Patriots by 10 runs in CPL Match 7"

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