Athanaze only focused on helping Royals win

By Rawle Toney

Following their heavy defeat to the Trinbago Knight Riders on Wednesday, Jason Holder promised that the Barbados Royals would rebound in their Caribbean Premier League (CPL) clash against the Jamaica Tallawahs the following day.

Holder’s prediction proved to be accurate, as the Royals secured a six-wicket victory by successfully chasing down the Jamaican side’s target of 160 runs. 

The star of the show, Alick Athanaze, had the crowd in a frenzy with his entertaining and stylish 76, decorated with seven-fours and three-sixes. 

After registering the highest individual score by a Royals’ batsman in this year’s CPLto date, Athanaze humbly remarked, “I did everything I could to contribute to the team’s victory. I hold myself to high standards, so I knew I had to give my best effort.”

Athanaze did not feature in the Royals’ season opener against the St. Lucia Kings, where they suffered a 54-run defeat. 

In his debut, he scored 30 runs in his side’s six-wicket win against the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots and managed just two runs in the Royals’ disappointing performance against the Knight Riders.

When asked if he was disappointed at not scoring a century, Athanaze said, “I’m more concerned about the win, to be honest. We got a win and the confidence that we wanted, so I’m just concerned about the team win. 

“I still feel like I’ve set myself short somewhere because of the standards I have for myself, but it feels really good to get good scores, keep learning and keep performing on this field.”  

In their final two home games, the Royals will take on the Kings on Saturday, and the Patriots on Sunday, and Athanaze said victories in those matches were critical. 

“I think it’s always good to get points early on instead of playing catch-up, so it’s important to the team’s confidence and for us on the table as well, so that’s something good we’re looking to get,” he said. 

rawletoney@barbadostoday.bb