Match 12, Gros Islet, August 25, 2025, 04:30 AM
Saint Lucia Kings
/(ov)
Barbados Royals
Match Abandoned
Commentry
Right then, that’s all from this called-off game. Both Saint Lucia Kings and Barbados Royals stay rooted at the bottom half of the table. After a one-day break in CPL 2025, the action resumes on 27th August, Wednesday, when Saint Lucia Kings take on the Guyana Amazon Warriors right here at the same venue. The match starts at 4.30 am IST (11 pm GMT, previous day), and as always, we’ll be here well before that with all the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!
The dreaded news is in – MATCH ABANDONED! We can see the captains shake their hands along with the umpires. The rain gods have had their say, and with the showers refusing to relent, play was not possible. We could only get the toss, and not a single ball. The points are shared, which is a small relief for Barbados Royals as they finally open their account, though they remain at the bottom of the table. Saint Lucia Kings sit just above them, but with two washouts now, they’ll feel a touch frustrated. Still, it’s beyond their control, and they’ll be hoping for clearer skies ahead to truly showcase their quality on the field.
UPDATE - 7.17 am IST (1.47 am GMT) - The chances of play are looking bleak as we edge closer to the cut-off time, now less than 30 minutes away. The rain is showing no signs of mercy and even if it were to stop now, after nearly three hours of persistent downpour, it would take a miracle for us to get on the park.
UPDATE - 6.52 am IST (1.22 am GMT) - We are now less than an hour away from the cut-off time, which is 7.46 am IST (2.16 am GMT). The visuals are still showing rain falling hard on the ground, but the DJ is trying to keep the crowd entertained with some good tunes.
UPDATE - 6.31 am IST (1.01 am GMT) - Not promising news! It is still raining in Gros Islet, and the forecast is not looking good either. We can see the players and the fans patiently waiting for the rain to stop, and we have some time to play with before the cut-off. Fingers crossed!
While we wait for the rain to relent here, let’s rewind to the earlier clash. Batting first, SKN Patriots struggled their way to 133/9, with Evin Lewis and Mohammad Rizwan chipping in with 30-odd scores. For Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, Shakib Al Hasan was the standout, grabbing three wickets and in the process becoming only the fifth bowler in history to claim 500 T20 scalps. The chase wasn’t entirely straightforward and went into the final over, but Karima Gore once again stood tall with an unbeaten half-century to guide his side home and finish their home campaign on a high.
UPDATE - 5.55 am IST (12.25 am GMT) - Uh, oh! The umbrellas are back up as the rain has returned, and the ground staff are heading back to their sheds. The wait continues!
UPDATE - 5.50 am IST (12.20 am GMT) - Well, it looks like it has stopped raining. The ground staff are heading out to the centre. The wind continues to blow strongly, but given the amount of rain that has fallen, the groundsmen have a tough task on their hands to get the ground ready.
UPDATE - 5.30 am IST (12 am GMT) - The rain continues to fall quite steadily and unfortunately, we have begun losing overs. The covers remain firmly in place, while the ground staff, who were earlier out in the middle, have now retreated to the sheds. A steady breeze continues to blow across the ground, but it hasn’t been enough to push the rain away. Daren Ganga informs on air that the cut-off time for a 5-over contest is 7.46 am IST (2.16 am GMT), so we still have plenty of time on our hands.
UPDATE - 4.59 am IST (11.29 pm GMT, previous day) - More covers are being brought onto the field, as the groundsmen look to cover up the squares now as well. The forecast, though, is not encouraging, with rain expected to linger for another hour or so.
UPDATE - 4.48 am IST (11.18 pm GMT, previous day) - The rain slowed down for a bit, and the fourth umpire was out looking at the outfield with an umbrella. However, he has now gone back, and the big cover has been summoned. Also, the wind is so strong that a few of the ground staff are standing there in raincoats to stop it from blowing away. We have an hour of buffer time before we start losing overs, but that is very far away at the moment. Stick with us for more news.
UPDATE - 4.33 am IST (11.03 pm GMT, previous day) - Oh..no! The drizzle has turned into a heavy downpour in just seconds. There is a very strong wind blowing, and the ground staff are fighting for their lives to put the covers on. They have finally managed to cover the pitch and areas around it. So, it turns out, we will have to wait for a bit here. Hopefully, the wind takes the rain somewhere else and we get some action soon. Stay tuned for further updates.
A little bit of delay! There is a slight drizzle around the ground, but it is very light. The ground staff have put out a white plastic sheet, but they have not covered the pitch yet. So, that is a good sign, as they are maybe expecting this will not be a significant wait. Oh..no!
PITCH REPORT - Nikhil Uttamchandani is near the deck. Informs that we are back on the same surface once again. Adds that there is a slight chance of inclement weather, but hopes that the wind will push it away. Says that the boundaries are 62 metres and 64 metres square, with the straight boundary at 71 metres. Niall O’Brien joins him and says that the ground staff have done a fine job here. States that they filled the cracks with some clay and water and then hammered it down. Ends by saying that there is a decent covering of grass, so we should see plenty of runs on offer on what looks like a good track.
Keon Gaston is in for a chat. Says he just had to give himself a bit of time to settle in, and it paid off in a big way last game. He mentions that his coach has always been working with him and pushing him to get better. Gaston shares that the crowd was electric last night, which inspired him to give his best. Reflecting on the contest, he believes he went up against some of the most dangerous batters and focused only on execution. He adds that he enjoyed the wickets of Nicholas Pooran and Andre Russell.
Barbados Royals (Playing XI) - Quinton de Kock (WK), Brandon King, Kadeem Alleyne, Shaqkere Parris (In for Kofi James), Rovman Powell (C), Sherfane Rutherford, Daniel Sams, Eathan Bosch, Ramon Simmonds, Johann Layne (In for Nyeem Young), Jomel Warrican.
Saint Lucia Kings (Playing XI) - Johnson Charles, Tim Seifert (WK), Ackeem Auguste, Roston Chase, Tim David, Aaron Jones, David Wiese (C), Keon Gaston, Khary Pierre, Oshane Thomas, Tabraiz Shamsi.
The skipper of the Saint Lucia Kings, David Wiese admits that yesterday was a pretty ordinary night for them in terms of their fielding and they need to do a lot better. Adds that wind was a factor last night but that is not an excuse. Feels that they need to get to 200 at this venue. Informs that Aaron Jones comes in for Delano Potgieter.
Rovman Powell, the skipper of Barbados Royals, says that it looks like a good wicket and there is some inclement weather around. Adds that the preparation has been good, they have unfortunately lost both games but are positive and this game provides another opportunity for them. Says that they have played good cricket till now and they just have to win the small moments. Informs they have made two changes in the team. Tells that Johann Layne will be making his CPL debut. Says he is a young fast bowler who also was recently in the West Indies squad. Also, Shaqkere Parris comes into the team as well.
TOSS - Barbados Royals have won the toss and they will BOWL first.