WARRIORS BEAT ROYALS IN THEIR FIRST CPL MATCH

by David Harris

Guyana Warriors defeated Barbados Royals by four wickets in the first match of the Barbados leg of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) before a packed house at Kensington Oval on Thursday night.
Chasing 166 runs for victory, the Warriors scored 170 for six wickets in 19.4 overs, in a close and exciting match.
Opener Shai Hope made an unbeaten 62 runs from 49 balls, the stylish right-handed batsman struck four fours and a six, Player of the match Dwaine Pretorius smashed 53 off 34 balls with two four and four towering sixes, and Quentin Sampson played a cameo of 33 off 20 balls to guide the Guyana based franchise to victory.
The Warriors were wobbling at 30 for four wickets in the fifth over after Ben McDermott, Moeen Ali, Shimron Hetmeyer, and Hassan Khan were dismissed for single-digit scores; before Hope and Pretorius revived the innings with a stunning fifth wicket partnership of 89 runs from 57 balls.
At the end of the 10th over the Warriors were 68 for four wickets, still behind the scoring rate, Hope and Pretorious increased the tempo scoring 51 runs off the next four overs. By the time Pretorious ‘was dismissed at the end of the 14th over, the score was 119 for five wickets and the pressure was on the Royals.
When Romario Shepherd was dismissed with the score on 128, the Royals were back in the game but Hope and Sampson guided the Warriors to victory; and Sampson slogged a massive six over mid-wicket to wrap up the match with a couple of balls to spare.
Fast bowler Eathan Bosh captured three wickets for 35 runs and left-arm seamer Ramon Simmonds took two wickets for 27 runs.
Earlier, the Royals scored 165 runs for six wickets after winning the toss and electing to bat, they slumped to 69 for five wickets before captain Rovman Powell who made 50 not out, and Rassie van der Dussen (45) counterpunch with an 82-run partnership, opener contributed 39 off 27 balls. Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie picked two wickets for 16 runs.
The defeat left the winless Royals firmly rooted to the bottom of the table and in need of a turn around to keep their season alive. The Royals next match is against Antigua and Barbuda Falcons tonight.