Royals favoured to defeat Patriots on Friday

St Kitts & Nevis Patriots will play host to the Barbados Royals on Friday night at Warner Park in Basseterre, the ninth match of the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL). The Royals are favourites and according to bookmakers have an 80 per cent chance to win the match.

Led by West Indies T20 captain Rovman Powell, the Royals have played just once thus far, defeating the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons in St John’s. The Patriots have also beaten the Falcons, but then went on to lose to the Trinbago Knight Riders, Saint Lucia Kings, and defending champions Guyana Amazon Warriors.

Whereas the Royals are third in the standings behind the Kings and Warriors, the Patriots are being kept off the bottom of the table only by the Falcons.

With a net run rate of 2.363, the Royals tallied 149 in just 153 overs for their opening win. They allowed just 145 in 20 overs. The Patriots have so far made 797 runs in 80 overs, but have conceded 881 in 77.2 overs, a -1.43 run rate.

Who to watch for

The Royals will have to keep a close eye on West Indies top order batsman, Evin Lewis, who has made 171 runs in his four trips to the crease. Lewis is scoring at a rate of 164.42 thus far, having hit an even unbeaten 100 against the Kings, the only century to date in this year’s competition.

Barbadian Kyle Mayers has made 165 runs, including a knock of 92 against the Kings, and Kittiitian Mikyle Louis has 87 in just two innings played. The stand of 199 between Mayers and Lewis came in a losing cause, but it set a CPL record for the most significant partnership ever in this tournament.

Former West Indies wicketkeeper Andre Fletcher is dangerous as well. He has hit 107 runs in four innings, going at 201.88.

Barbados will look to Game 1 player of the match, Quinton de Kock, West Indies all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall, the veteran Shamarh Brooks, and the West Indian duo of Alick Athanaze and Powell to anchor a balanced batting lineup.

The youthful Sri Lankan duo of Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage should prove a handful throughout the competition, especially backed up by wicket-taking pacer Obed McCoy, all-rounder Jason Holder, and Afghanistan speedster Naveen-ul-Haq.

Last time out 

In their 2023 meeting, the Royals defeated the Patriots by eight wickets. The Patriots put up a total of 220 runs for the loss of four wickets. Royals chased down the target comfortably, securing the win.

It should be a thrilling contest, ahead of the Royals’ home stand, starting next Wednesday. Friday’s game starts from 7:00 pm.

(TF)