TKR VS SLK T20S

Right, with that, the Trinbago Knight Riders march forward with confidence, with two wins in three games and move to third in the points table. But CPL 2025 has no time to rest, as next up is an exciting double header coming your way. Match 11 features the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons going up against the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in North Sound. It is a crucial game for the home side, as this will be their last outing at their fortress this season. That game will be played on Sunday, 24th August, and first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 8.30 pm IST (3 pm GMT). It will be followed by the action returning to the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, where Saint Lucia Kings will host the Barbados Royals. That game will begin at 4.30 am IST (11 pm GMT, the previous day). But you know the drill, so join us an hour before for all the pre-match build-up and insights. The stage is set for another exciting clash. Until then, take care! CIAO!

The victorious captain of Trinbago Knight Riders, Nicholas Pooran, first admits that the conditions were tricky. Highlights that they discussed about how to access their shots. Appreciates Kieron Pollard for giving them the momentum and says it is nice to see him contribute to the side. Mentions that he is one of the leading run scorers in T20 cricket and calls him a complete team man. Adds that regardless of his age and body, he is always ready to step up. Shares that he communicates with him a lot from behind the stumps. Further adds that this is an exciting time for them as they will be heading home to Trinidad in front of the home crowd.

The skipper of the Saint Lucia Kings, David Wiese, says that it wasn’t their best day in the field, and against quality players like Kieron Pollard, you don’t get second chances, as he simply took the game away. Feels that they showed good fight in chasing over 180, but admits that too many opportunities were let slip. Notes that with the tight schedule, there’s no time to dwell, and the focus now is on coming back stronger tomorrow. About Alzarri Joseph not playing, Wiese says he had a slight niggle concern, and they couldn’t risk it, but will keep monitoring his progress. Praises the atmosphere, calling it a great vibe with packed stands, and hopes the team can give the fans something to celebrate in the next game.

Kieron Pollard is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his match-winning 65 with the bat. He reflects that the surface was good for batting, and they were playing not only against the home side but also the home crowd. Says he is just enjoying cricket and feels that his role in the side is to teach and pass the experience to the youngsters. Points out that the pitches are not that great but also says that you need to go there and make the most out of it. Adds that playing in front of the Trinidad crowd is something that excites him the most. Ends by saying that they have five games there and hopes they will perform strongly in front of their home crowd as well.

Time for the Post-Match Presentations...

Earlier in the match, David Wiese won the toss and invited the Knight Riders to bat first. It was Kieron Pollard’s fireworks that lit up the evening. After Colin Munro’s fluent 43, Pollard walked in and completely changed the tempo. His 65 from just 29 balls, including six massive sixes, ensured the Knight Riders went beyond the 180-mark despite losing wickets regularly. Russell couldn’t fire, but McKenny Clarke finished things off with two towering sixes in the last over. The Kings’ bowling had mixed results, where Roston Chase bowled tightly for 1/23, and Tabraiz Shamsi also impressed with 1/21. Young Keon Gaston picked two wickets but proved expensive, while skipper Wiese leaked runs at the death.

For Trinbago Knight Riders, the bowling unit stood up under pressure. Andre Russell was clearly struggling with cramps but still managed to pick up two vital wickets, including the dangerous Seifert. Usman Tariq continued his impressive CPL form with another disciplined spell, dismissing Charles and captain Wiese while conceding only 20 runs in his four overs. Mohammad Amir was sharp and accurate at the death, and Akeal Hosein too chipped in with a wicket. Sunil Narine might not have taken a scalp, but his tight spell built pressure. The fielding wasn’t at its best, with a few sloppy throws and easy runs conceded, yet the bowlers made sure it didn’t cost them the match.

Even though Tim David tried to inject life with a couple of boundaries, he too departed cheaply, caught behind off Mohammad Amir. Delano Potgieter kept the scoreboard moving, but once he was dismissed, the game was almost out of reach. Ackeem Auguste played a brave little cameo at the end, but it was too late to change the result. The Kings eventually finished on 165/6, falling 18 runs short of what once looked like a very gettable chase. Their middle order’s inability to build on the openers’ stand proved to be the deciding factor.

Chasing 184, the Kings started with real intent. Both Tim Seifert and Johnson Charles came out firing, cracking boundaries at will, and by the end of the Powerplay, they had already raced to 60 without loss. Their stand extended to 74, and it looked like they were on course to surprise the Knight Riders. But cricket has its way of flipping the script. Andre Russell struck first, sending Seifert back, and suddenly the momentum dipped. Johnson Charles, who had looked solid, also fell soon after to Usman Tariq, while Roston Chase’s short stay ended in an LBW dismissal. From 74/0 to 94/3, the Kings collapsed under scoreboard pressure and could never quite recover the rhythm.

BOLD and CLINICAL should be perhaps the two best words to describe the brilliant display from the Trinbago Knight Riders as they remain unbeaten at Gros Islet against the Saint Lucia Kings. The Kings had their moments, especially with that fiery opening partnership of 74 runs, but they lost their way after the breakthrough and could never recover. Meanwhile, the Knight Riders set the tone with the bat first, where Kieron Pollard’s power-hitting lifted them to a strong total, and then their bowlers came back brilliantly under pressure to seal an 18-run win. This match had twists, but TKR’s all-round balance made the difference.

Full and straight, around off, Ackeem Auguste weighs on the back foot and heaves it over mid-wicket for a couple of runs. Trinbago Knight Riders remain unbeaten against Saint Lucia Kings at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium as they WIN BY 18 RUNS!

Short delivery, around off, Keon Gaston drags it along the ground to long on for a single.

Short and into the pitch, and into the bodyline, Keon Gaston tries to pull but inside edges onto the front pad as the ball rolls onto the pitch.

Keon Gaston is the new batter in.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! CAUGHT BEHIND! Superb response from Andre Russell! A slower ball by the looks of it, and he slants it wide outside off, on a very fuller length. Delano Potgieter, with no footwork, reaches at it to work that off side, but only manages to get a thick outside edge. Nicholas Pooran moves a bit to his left and gathers it safely in his mitts.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! CAUGHT BEHIND! Superb response from Andre Russell! A slower ball by the looks of it, and he slants it wide outside off, on a very fuller length. Delano Potgieter, with no footwork, reaches at it to work that off side, but only manages to get a thick outside edge. Nicholas Pooran moves a bit to his left and gathers it safely in his mitts.

Short and across the off pole, Ackeem Auguste rises with the bounce and slashes it over cover for a single only.

SIX! KABOOM! Dre Russ serves it full and on off, a genuine half volley, there to be put away. Ackeem Auguste gets his bat under the ball and sails it over the bowler for a massive six. 23 needed off the last 5.

So, 29 runs are needed in the last six balls. Need just five sixes, who would hit them? Andre Russell to close out the match with his final over.