CPL 2021: Patriots win fifth consecutive match

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots marched on to take another victory in the 14th match of the Caribbean Premier League 2021.

Dwayne Bravo’s men beat Barbados Royals in a last-ball thriller in Basseterre.

The 161-run target set by the Royals seemed just enough until Cottrell changed the game.

Cottrell delivers with the bat

Sheldon Cottrell is usually known for his stunning opening spells in white-ball cricket, but the West Indian won his team the game today with the bat.

His fiery 20 runs off merely 7 balls were enough to take the Pats home on the very last ball.

With four runs needed off the final delivery, Cottrell drilled the ball into the stands for a six.

In the post-game interview, the 32-year-old revealed how he was able to keep his nerves calm in the death overs.

“As a bowler, we don’t bat much. So whenever we go out in the middle we just enjoy our batting. There is no pressure like a batsman,” Cottrell said after being declared the Man of the Match.

“I have had experience in those types of situations and knew what I was getting into. This is the first game that my knees have given me a chance to be myself and I was able to put full effort in the field (referring to his one-handed catch).”

Not to forget that the Sergeant did an excellent job with the ball as well.

Picking one wicket in his three overs, Cottrell conceded 17 runs only at an economy of 5.7.

Bravo cripples Royals’ momentum

Dwayne Bravo was the star of the show with the ball.

The Patriots captain picked a whopping 4 wickets to pause the Royals’ attack in the first innings.

Just when the Royals seemed to be playing well under the tricky situation, Bravo stepped up with the ball and chipped a wicket to break small partnerships.

The veteran T20 campaigner dismissed Smit Patel, Glenn Phillips, Raymon Reifer and Nyeem Young.

His variations kept the Barbados batters in check and held them before they could smash another 15 to 20 runs at the end.

The Pats skipper seemed elated with the win. “Happy with five from five. Games like these make us believe. Another great team effort. This is a ground you can chase and credit to the team,” he said.

Speaking about promoting Fabian Allen up the batting order at No.4, Bravo said: “At that time we wanted to keep a left-right combination and the team planning is to have Sherfane and Fabian with 7-8 overs left, but it didn’t work out today.”

The unsung heroes

Chris Gayle’s patient knock of 42 runs was crucial to Patriot’s chase as well.

He withstood the pitch conditions and pace cartel of the Royals to set a solid foundation for the hosts.

Jake Lintott got the better of the universe boss, but the veteran power-hitter had done the damage by then.

Similarly, Smit Patel’s contribution could not be ignored.

He ended up with the losing side, but the right-handed batsman registered a gritty fifty. His 48-ball 54 gave Barbados a solid chance to go for a big total.

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots 163 for 8 (Gayle 42, Young 3-26) beat Barbados Royals 160 for 8 (Patel 54, Bravo 4-26) by two wickets.

The table as it stands now.