The Guyana Amazon Warriors have announced their squad for the inaugural ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL), set to take place from November 26 to December 7. Fresh off leading the Warriors to their first Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title in 2023, veteran South African spinner Imran Tahir will again captain the team. He’ll be joined by an impressive lineup of international stars and talented local players, eager to make an impact in this highly anticipated T20 tournament.

Supporting Tahir are several international names, including South African all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius and England’s seasoned all-rounder Moeen Ali, who bring both experience and versatility to the squad. The overseas contingent also includes left-arm spinner Hassan Khan, based in the USA, and Bangladesh’s seam bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib, who rounds out a solid mix of international expertise.

At the heart of the squad is a core of Guyanese talent that has become synonymous with the Amazon Warriors. Romario Shepherd, Shimron Hetmyer, and Keemo Paul, all well-known figures in West Indies cricket, will represent their home side, bringing both local pride and firepower to the team. Adding further strength, the Warriors welcome West Indies ODI captain Shai Hope and versatile all-rounder Roston Chase to their ranks, promising a balanced lineup for the GSL competition.

The Amazon Warriors will look to build on the momentum of their CPL success, backed by home support at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence. The GSL features five teams – the Warriors, Hampshire Hawks, Lahore Qalandars, Rangpur Riders, and Victoria – competing over 11 matches for a prize fund of USD 1 million. Fans can expect a thrilling display of T20 cricket, with the Warriors eager to make their mark on the global stage.

The much-anticipated inaugural Global Super League (GSL) is set to take place in Guyana from November 26 to December 7, 2024, with five powerhouse teams from across the globe competing for a lucrative US$1 million prize. The tournament will be held at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence and promises to deliver exciting T20 cricket action.

The competing teams include representatives from the West Indies, Pakistan, Australia, England, and Bangladesh. Leading the local charge will be the Guyana Amazon Warriors, the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise that is expected to bring a strong contingent of players to the competition. They will be joined by the Lahore Qalandars from Pakistan, Victoria from Australia, Hampshire Hawks from England, and Rangpur Riders from Bangladesh.

Each team will play a round-robin format, facing off against every other team, with the top two teams advancing to the final on December 7. The tournament will span 11 matches over the course of two weeks, with all games scheduled to be played under lights at the Providence stadium, providing prime-time entertainment for fans.

The action kicks off on Tuesday, November 26, when the home favorites, Guyana Amazon Warriors, take on Lahore Qalandars in the tournament’s opening fixture at 7 pm. The following day, Hampshire Hawks will face Rangpur Riders in what promises to be a thrilling contest between two strong cricketing nations.

On Friday, November 29, the Amazon Warriors will return to the field for a highly anticipated clash against Victoria, one of Australia’s premier teams, while Saturday, November 30, will feature a doubleheader with Hampshire Hawks going head-to-head with the Lahore Qalandars in the morning fixture.

The action continues into December, with Sunday, December 1, offering a thrilling day of cricket. In the morning, the Rangpur Riders will face Victoria, followed by a night game featuring the Guyana Amazon Warriors against Hampshire Hawks, a match that promises to draw huge interest from local and international fans alike.

The competition heats up on Tuesday, December 3, as Victoria takes on Lahore Qalandars, followed by a clash between Guyana Amazon Warriors and Rangpur Riders on Wednesday, December 4. The final round of group-stage fixtures will take place on Thursday, December 5, when the Lahore Qalandars square off against the Rangpur Riders, and Friday, December 6, when Hampshire Hawks meet Victoria.

The two teams with the highest points at the end of the group stage will battle it out in the final on Saturday, December 7, at 7 pm, with the winner walking away as the inaugural GSL champions and claiming the largest share of the US$1 million prize fund.

With top-tier talent from across the globe, including players from the Caribbean, Australia, England, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, the Global Super League promises to be one of the most exciting new T20 competitions in the cricketing calendar. The tournament will not only showcase international cricketing stars but also provide a platform for emerging talent to shine on the global stage.

Guyana is set to make history this year with the launch of the inaugural Global Cricket League, a premier T20 tournament scheduled from November 26 to December 7, 2024. The event, which will take place annually, will feature five established T20 teams from five different countries, including the home team, the Guyana Amazon Warriors, competing for a significant prize fund of USD $1 million. This tournament marks South America’s first standalone cricket event and is expected to become a major fixture in the global cricket calendar.

Sanctioned by Cricket West Indies and fully supported by the Government of Guyana, the Global Cricket League aims to attract top cricket talent and fans from around the world. The tournament will be held at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence, featuring 11 matches in a mini-league format. Each team will play four matches, with the top two advancing to the final, promising intense competition throughout.

His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, expressed his enthusiasm for the event and its significance for the nation.

"The Global Super League has the full support of the Government of Guyana as we build a world-class sports tourism product. Cricket is part of our cultural history; it is that unifying force, part of our heritage, and an integral part of our strategic objective in economic diversification with a strong emphasis on tourism. As Guyana positions itself as a global shaper in energy, food, and climate landscape, we will use this platform to bring a world-class tournament to our shores," President Ali said.

The Global Cricket League not only represents an exciting opportunity to showcase Guyana's passion for cricket but also aligns with the government’s broader goals of enhancing tourism and economic diversification. By hosting this annual tournament, Guyana is positioning itself as a premier sports tourism destination, bringing international cricket stars and fans to the country year after year.

Chairman of the Global Super League, Sir Clive Lloyd, praised the initiative, acknowledging its potential to captivate cricket fans worldwide.

"I would like to welcome cricket fans from around the world to this exciting new event. The passion for cricket in Guyana rivals that of fans anywhere, and we look forward to celebrating our love of the game and our rich and vibrant country with those both visiting in person and watching from around the world. I would like to thank His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali for his vision of a new cricket event for Guyana, one that will captivate the world," Lloyd said.

Each year, the tournament will invite different international teams, further elevating Guyana’s reputation in the global cricketing community. With the 2024 edition promising to bring together top talent and competitive matches, local fans and international viewers alike can expect a thrilling start to this historic event.

The St Lucia Kings claimed their first-ever Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title in emphatic fashion on Sunday night, defeating the defending champions Guyana Amazon Warriors by six wickets in a thrilling final at Providence Stadium. Aaron Jones and Roston Chase led a remarkable recovery after a shaky start to secure the Kings' maiden title, with Jones delivering a match-winning performance under intense pressure.

Chasing a modest target of 139 on a slow, two-paced surface, the Kings appeared in trouble at 51 for 4, with the Warriors’ spinners dominating proceedings. The Guyana crowd had reached a fever pitch as the Kings struggled to score, going nine overs without a boundary. Roston Chase, battling illness, and Aaron Jones, who was on the verge of being retired out by captain Daren Sammy, faced a relentless attack from Guyana’s four-pronged spin bowling unit, led by Noor Ahmad.

However, the match swung dramatically in the 16th over when Jones, who had crawled to 10 off 19 balls, unleashed a furious assault on Moeen Ali, smashing 27 runs off the over with a series of sixes and fours. His explosive batting ignited the Kings’ chase, turning the tide of the game in their favor. Jones, who finished unbeaten on 48 from 31 balls, shared an unbroken 88-run partnership with Chase, who played a measured innings of 39 off 22 balls, guiding the Kings to victory with 11 balls to spare.

The Kings had been rattled early in their chase when Romario Shepherd removed Johnson Charles for seven. Faf du Plessis, Ackeem Auguste, and Tim Seifert soon followed, leaving the Kings teetering at 51 for 4, with the required run rate climbing. However, Jones and Chase stayed calm, absorbing the pressure before unleashing their onslaught. Jones smashed Dwaine Pretorius for 20 runs in the 17th over, leaving the Kings needing just one run from the final two overs. Imran Tahir’s wide down the leg side sealed the Warriors' fate, handing the Kings a memorable victory.

Reflecting on the win, Chase, who has been with the Kings for five seasons, said: “It means a lot. I’ve been in two finals before, and I made up my mind this morning that I wasn’t going to lose this one.” Meanwhile, Jones, who delivered when it mattered most, added, “We knew playing in the final would be a challenge, but we came out on top. I think of myself as a match-winner.”

Earlier, the Warriors struggled to build momentum after being asked to bat first. They could only muster 27 runs in the powerplay, losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck in the opening over. The St Lucia Kings’ bowlers applied consistent pressure, with Khary Pierre delivering a superb spell of 2-0-6-1 during the powerplay. Alzarri Joseph also tied down the batters with wide lines, while Noor Ahmad (4-0-19-3) was the standout, taking the key wickets of Moeen Ali (14) and Shimron Hetmyer (11), both falling to mistimed shots. Chase also chipped in with the wicket of Shai Hope (22) as the Warriors stumbled to 102 for 7 after 18 overs.

Despite a late surge from Romario Shepherd (18) and Dwaine Pretorius (21), who added 36 runs in the final two overs to push the Warriors to 138-8, the total proved insufficient. Noor Ahmad’s 22 wickets this season placed him just behind CPL legend Dwayne Bravo’s record of most wickets in a single CPL season.

The Kings’ victory marks a significant moment in their CPL journey, as they lifted their first title in franchise history. The triumph was a testament to their resilience and belief, with Aaron Jones’ match-winning innings set to be remembered as one of the most remarkable moments of the 2024 CPL season.

Reigning champions Guyana Amazon Warriors booked their spot in the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) final by inflicting an eight wicket defeat over Barbados Royals in Providence. 

Imran Tahir won the toss and decided to field first, himself and his fellow bowlers working as a well oiled unit to restrict and run through the Royals who eventually posted a total of 148 runs. 

The Royals batting card was full of starts but no one grabbed the innings by the scruff of the neck and went on to post a decisive score as wickets continued to fall. Quinton de Kock chipped a simple caught and bowled chance back to Gudakesh Motie and Romario Shepherd picked up the key wicket of Rahkeem Cornwall with a reviewed lbw decision that went the Warriors way. 

Cornwall was looking in fine form and the reversal of the on field decision put the Royals under real pressure that they never really recovered from. 

The Warriors bowling line up shared the wickets between them, Shepherd finishing with 3/35 and Moeen Ali once again bowling a decisive spell with the ball in hand, spearing in 13 dot balls and picking up two wickets to end with 2/24 for his efforts. Some chaotic running in the scrabble for late runs also saw two run outs as the Royals innings spluttered to a close. 

The Warriors set about the total with confidence and managed to win the match and secure their place in Sunday's final inside 15 overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Moeen Ali flayed the ball to all parts at the top of the order, Gurbaz departing for a rapid 40 off 18 balls with four sixes and Ali finishing unbeaten on 44 off 35 balls to cap a fine all round performance in a crucial match. 

Shai Hope made a classy half century before being yorked by Ramon Simmonds with just two runs needed for victory, Player of the Match Moeen Ali clipping the decisive single off his pads just a couple of balls later to land the telling blow. 

The winning run struck with 33 balls left unused saw the Barbados Royals title hopes left in tatters and Guyana Amazon Warriors cruising to a comprehensive victory that gives them an opportunity to land back to back CPL titles. Saint Lucia Kings lie in wait in what promises to be an enthralling end to the 2024 competition. 

St. Lucia Kings opener Johnson Charles attributed his match-winning performance against the Guyana Amazon Warriors on Wednesday night in the 2024 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) to maintaining a positive mindset. Charles, who has been in stellar form throughout the season, top-scored with a blazing 79 from 45 balls, which included eight fours and five sixes. His efforts helped the Kings post a formidable total of 198-5, ultimately securing a 15-run victory via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method.

Reflecting on his performance, Charles emphasized the importance of staying positive, especially when facing challenges from bowlers. “It's all about being positive, having that positive intent. I have been dismissed the most by left-arm spinners, but still, you’ve got to be positive and find ways to score. I am all about that positive intent and getting my team off to a great start,” Charles said.

This season has been Charles’ most successful CPL campaign yet, with the St. Lucian star amassing 445 runs—a career-best. His explosive innings against the Warriors, which featured a commanding opening partnership of 124 runs with skipper Faf du Plessis, was crucial in putting the Kings in a winning position. Charles credited the synergy between him and du Plessis for their success at the top of the order.

“We feed off each other’s energy. We have different styles of play; that gives us a very good understanding, and it also plays with the bowlers' minds,” Charles explained, highlighting how their contrasting approaches have unsettled opposition bowlers.

Charles’ performance not only demonstrated his improved shot-making, but also his adaptability. He acknowledged that the evolution of the game requires constant innovation, both mentally and technically. “The game is evolving, and you’ve got to keep up the pace. Seeing that bowlers are always studying you and always trying to keep you bogged down, it’s all about staying up with the pace. I have been practicing different ways of scoring, whether it’s the switch hit or paddle sweep off the pacers, and it’s going good for me,” he said.

With the Kings now on the cusp of a first CPL title, Charles believes that 2024 could finally be their year to lift the CPL trophy. “This means a lot; for so many years we have been trying. I believe this year is our year. I think we have a very good chance, and it’s our year to win this,” he concluded.

As Charles continues to shine with the bat, his form and positive mindset will be critical as the Kings push for their first-ever CPL title.

Saint Lucia Kings booked their place in the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Final with a 15-run victory over reigning champions Guyana Amazon Warriors in a weather curtailed match at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence.

The Warriors will now take on Barbados Royals on Friday with the winner of that match contesting the final with Kings on Sunday.

Winning the toss and batting first proved a wise decision given the forecast and Faf du Plessis led from the front once more for his side. An opening stand of 124 runs between himself and Johnson Charles ensured the Kings posted a challenging total of 198-5 off their twenty overs.

Charles was starting to eye up a three-figure score when he was well caught on the long-on boundary by Keemo Paul off the bowling of Moeen Ali for 79 off 45 deliveries. Du Plessis then fell for a well-made half-century of his own, the Kings captain forced to depart after Rahmanullah Gurbaz held on to an exceptional catch from a firmly hit shot down the ground off Shamar Joseph.

The Warriors bowlers did well to keep the score down to a manageable target with Moeen Ali once again being the standout performer with the ball, figures of 2/24 off his four overs showcasing all his experience.

In response, the Warriors had reached 106-4 at the end of the 13th over before the persistent drizzle turned into heavier rain and the players were taken off the field by the umpires. Unfortunately for the 2023 CPL champions it then did not relent meaning that they were behind the required run rate on DLS calculations when the match was called off over an hour later.

Still requiring 92 runs off the remaining 42 deliveries when the weather intervened the Warriors would have still fancied their chances of hauling down the total with a well-set Shimron Hetmyer looking dangerous with 37 off 18 balls and with Moeen Ali having just joined him.

Hetmyer had just opened his shoulders to hit four sixes in quick succession off Noor Ahmad and Roston Chase, despite this injection of runs the Warriors were comfortably behind the required DLS score of 121 when the rain decisively intervened.

The Warriors will have a chance of setting up a re-match with a victory over Barbados Royals in the final eliminator match on Friday evening. Saint Lucia Kings will await either side in Sunday’s final with an inaugural CPL title very much in their sights.

After 30 matches in the preliminary phase, we have finally come to the portion of the 2024 Caribbean Premier League where a champion will be crowned…the playoffs.

The four-match spectacle, all to take place at the Providence Stadium in Guyana, is set to bowl off with the eliminator on Tuesday evening between the Trinbago Knight Riders and the Barbados Royals.

The loser of that encounter will unfortunately see their 2024 CPL campaign come to an end while the winner will advance to the second qualifier to face the loser of Wednesday’s Qualifier 1 between hosts, defending champions and league-phase table toppers, the Guyana Amazon Warriors and the St. Lucia Kings.

That game will take place on Friday and the winner will face the winner of Qualifier 1 in the final on Sunday.

The Kings are the only team in these playoffs yet to lift a CPL title, finishing as runners up in consecutive years in 2020 and 2021.

The Knight Riders will be looking to add to their record four titles, with the last one coming in 2020.

The Royals are two-time champions, with their wins coming in 2014 and 2019 when they were named the ‘Tridents.’

The Amazon Warriors won their first title last year after being beaten finalists five times from 2013-2019.

With all that in mind, let’s take a closer look at some of the key players for each franchise heading into the business end of the tournament.

Guyana Amazon Warriors

Shimron Hetmyer

The 27-year-old left-hander has had an excellent season with the bat for the defending champions. The former West Indies U-19 World Cup-winning captain scored 353 runs in 10 innings at an average of 39.22 and a phenomenal strike rate of 186.77.

He hit four fifties including a highest score of 91 against the St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots on September 3. Against the Kings, Hetmyer hit 58 in their second-to-last game of the league phase and will hope that form carries over to Wednesday’s game.

Gudakesh Motie and Imran Tahir

On those spin-friendly pitches in Guyana, the Amazon Warriors will need their spin twins Gudakesh Motie and Imran Tahir to shine with the ball. They’ve both been in excellent form this season with 31 wickets between them.

Motie’s 16 wickets have come at an average of 14.37 while Tahir’s 15 have come at 16.37.

St. Lucia Kings

Johnson Charles

The no nonsense right-hander has always had a reputation of being a hit or miss type of batsman. This season, he’s been doing more of the former. He scored the third most runs this season with 366 in 10 innings at an average of 40.66 and a strike rate of 152.50. He’s had scores of 19 and 12 against the Amazon Warriors this season and will be hoping to make a significant contribution against them on Wednesday.

Noor Ahmad

Still only 19-year-old, Afghanistan’s Noor Ahmad was the pick of the bowlers this season with a tournament-leading 18 wickets in 10 matches at an average of just 13.16. In his two outings against the Amazon Warriors, he recorded figures of 3-22 and 2-26 and should get a lot of assistance from the pitch in Guyana on Wednesday.

Trinbago Knight Riders

Nicholas Pooran

2024 has been a phenomenal year in T20 cricket for Nicholas Pooran. He recently broke Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan’s record for most T20 run scored in a calendar year and followed that up with a brilliant 101 in his team’s final league phase game against the Amazon Warriors on Sunday.

In total, Pooran finished with 413 runs in 10 innings at an average of 45.88 and a strike rate of 174.26. In his two games against Tuesday opponents the Royals this season, he recorded scores of 35 and 27.

Waqar Salamkheil

The second Afghan left-arm wrist spinner on this list, Salamkheil has been the Knight Riders’ strike bowler this season with Sunil Narine missing the final four games of the league phase. The 22-year-old took 15 wickets in 10 games at an average of 21.73 with his best figures of 3-13 coming against the Royals in Bridgetown on September 12.

Barbados Royals

Quinton de Kock

One of the premier T20 batsmen in the world over the last few years, the South African has shown his class all season for the Royals. His 434 runs in 10 innings at an average of 54.25 put him at the top of the list for most runs. The Royals have been heavily reliant on de Kock’s production this season as he is the only Royals batsman in the top 15. He also had the highest individual score this season, 115 against the Amazon Warriors in Bridgetown on September 13.

Maheesh Theekshana

In his first CPL season, the Sri Lankan mystery spinner has been the best performing bowler for the Royals. He played all 10 games, taking 15 wickets at an impressive economy of just 5.87 and an average of 15.26.

All the matches can be viewed live on Sportsmax and the Sportsmax app.

The 30th and final regular fixture of this year’s Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) saw reigning champions Guyana Amazon Warriors suffer a heavy 74 run defeat at the hands of Trinbago Knight Riders on home turf in Providence. Despite this loss the Amazon Warriors finish top of the table and will face the Saint Lucia Kings in Qualifier 1 on 2 October. The Knight Riders will face Barbados in the Eliminator match on 1 October.

Winning the toss and electing to bat first the Knight Riders innings got off to a rocky start as Warriors captain Imran Tahir bowled Shaqkere Parris with a perfect googly that completely bamboozled the batter and scudded into the stumps. Tahir wheeled away in celebration but it was to be the last thing his side would have to celebrate for a while on what turned out to be a bruising night.

Nicholas Pooran played one of the finest innings in the history of the CPL by striking a majestic century for the Knight Riders, finishing with 101 off just 59 balls with nine fours and eight sixes to his name. Jason Roy played the anchor role with 34 runs off 26 balls and watched on in awe as Pooran dispatched the Warriors stellar bowling line up to all parts of the Providence stadium.

After Player of the Match Pooran was eventually dismissed at the end of the 16th over – caught behind by Shai Hope off the bowling of Shamar Joseph – Knight Riders captain Kieron Pollard (19 off 13) and Keacy Carty (27 off 13) ensured the visitors made it past the 200 mark and set a challenging total of 211-5 for the Warriors to chase.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Shai Hope both got starts but failed to go on and make a decisive big score as the Warriors chase failed to ignite in the face of scoreboard pressure and smart bowling. Waqar Salamkeil’s left arm wrist spin and Terrance Hinds’ medium pace seamers proved the undoing of the home side, the middle overs seeing a bundle of wickets fall as each bowler picked up three wickets apiece.

When Moeen Ali fell with the Warriors score on 88-8 it looked as if the 2023 CPL champions were going to be handed an emphatic 100 plus run defeat but some late order resistance from Gudakesh Motie and Captain Tahir saw them up to a final total of 137 all out.

Nevertheless, it was a chastening 74 run defeat for the Warriors after looking so dominant in their previous four matches and a huge confidence boost to the Knight Riders ahead of next week’s tournament run in.

The top two sides in this year’s Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) duked it out in Providence, with the reigning champions Guyana Amazon Warriors winning by a sizeable 35 run margin against their nearest rivals at the top of the table, Saint Lucia Kings.

Warriors captain Imran Tahir won the toss and elected to bat on home turf in Guyana. The daytime match wicket was thought to be a tricky one for free scoring, but the Warriors put on a confident display, breaching the 200 mark to finish on 207/7 from their 20 overs.

Shai Hope, with 56 off 31 balls, including five sixes and two fours, and Player of the Match Shimron Hetmyer, who topscored with a 30-ball 58 that had nine fours and a solitary maximum, led the way for the Warriors.

Faf du Plessis, with an unbeaten 92 off 59 balls batted through the entire inning, and at various stages he looked to be suffering from cramps as the Kings failed to chase down the target.

It was a true captain’s knock from the South African, who smashed seven fours and four sixes in over an hour and a half at the crease. Sadly for him, no other King's batsman could stick around long enough to give a better fight.

Only Alzarri Joseph (25* off 21 balls) allowed du Plessis to have some solidity at the other end and he set about hauling his side to a more respectable total and making sure that their net run rate was not too badly damaged. Finishing on 172/7 and batting out all of their overs in the end, the 35 run loss marked an achievement of sorts for the Kings after it earlier looked like they would go down by a considerable amount more.

With the win, the Warriors reclaimed the top sport in the standings on 14 points with a game in hand. They will take on Trinbago Knight Riders on Sunday in the final preliminary round fixture to determine the final placings heading into the playoff showdowns still to come.

Guyana Amazon Warriors helped their chances of securing a top two finish in the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) by inflicting a 47-run defeat on Barbados Royals Wednesday night. The Royals would have been hopeful for a top of the table finish too given their earlier form in the competition but a third defeat for them in recent matches means they may have to settle for third or fourth place and a harder path to the title.

Royals captain Rovman Powell won the toss on what looked a fantastic batting wicket and opted to insert the opposition. The pitch was conducive to stroke-play and despite the early loss of Rahmanullah Gurbaz the Warriors cashed in, posting an imposing 219-8 off their 20 overs.

At one point, when Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer were in full flow and displaying some mouth-watering stroke play it very much looked like a bigger total would be in the offing for the Warriors but after the two experienced hands fell before the end (for 71 off 37 balls and 57 off 34 balls respectively) the Royals managed to peg the defending champions back in the final five overs. Maheesh Theeskhana the pick of the Royals bowlers with an economical and wicket-taking spell of 3-15.

So consistent in the earlier stages of the competition, the Royals’ batting card failed to fire in response. Moeen Ali pinned talisman Quinton de Kock lbw for 35 and Imran Tahir sprinting off into the outfield in customary celebration with the key wicket of Powell.

David Miller, unbeaten on 71, offered some resistance in the Royals middle order and played some audacious strokes at the back end to take him to a battling half century but wickets continuously fell all around him as the Warriors spin attack used the scoreboard pressure to their advantage and piled on the pain. A score of 172-9 at the close meant the Royals finished comfortably short and the Warriors were never in trouble.

Moeen Ali continued his fine tournament with the ball by claiming 2-16 and fellow spinner Gudakesh Motie was more expensive but pocketed three wickets. The Warriors are finding form in both departments as the competition heads into its final phase.

David Miller’s pyrotechnics once the result had effectively been decided meant the final scorecard wasn’t as grim as it could have been for the Royals but they have plenty to put right after a chastening defeat to their fellow title hopefuls.

Reigning champions Guyana Amazon Warriors defeated Antigua & Barbuda Falcons by 27 runs to book a place in the latter stages of the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL). The defeat for the Falcons means they are now eliminated and the final four for this year's event is now set.

The Falcons won the toss and elected to field first and in restricting the Warriors to 135-7, they gave themselves a real chance of pulling off a surprise victory. The Falcons bowling attack shared the wickets around and did well to restrict the Warriors batting card, only eventual Player of the Match Moeen Ali managed to really do any damage with the bat in hand for Warriors.

The recently retired England international struck 42 off 33 balls including three fours and the same number of sixes before a nifty run out by Joshua James put an end to his innings and kept the target a manageable one.

The Falcons batting unit got plenty of starts but the side eventually suffered for the fact that none were converted into a meaningful score. Wickets fell in a steady stream and were shared around by the Warriors – Ali picking up 3-/9 with his wily off spin and South African seamer Dwayne Pretorious pocketing three wickets from just 2.5 overs.

It was a sparkling performance in both disciplines from Moeen Ali who described it as an ‘honour’ to play for the Warriors adding “the crowd is unbelievable at home, it surprised me nicely!”

The defeat sees the end of the road in the 2024 competition for the Falcons, they had their moments but with only three wins in 10 games they depart with plenty to ponder.

The Warriors look a dangerous outfit in all facets of the game and were cheered on raucously by their home crowd who were left at the end of the evening with every reason to believe a title defence is firmly on the cards.

The 2024 CPL Playoffs will feature the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Barbados Royals, Saint Lucia Kings and the Trinbago Knight Riders.

Guyana Amazon Warriors inflicted a seventh defeat on the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in this year’s Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), running out winners by 30 runs in Providence to boost their own chances of progression in this year’s competition.

Electing to field first the Patriots restricted their opponents to 137/8, Ashmead Nedd impressing with four wickets including bagging both openers Tim Robinson and Kevin Sinclair for ducks. Tabraiz Shamsi’s flight and guile kept the Warriors tied down too, only 13 runs were scored off his left-arm wrist spin and the South African removed both Moeen Ali and Shimron Hetmyer.

Hetmyer took a liking to the rest of the Patriots bowling however, a decisive and destructive innings of 63 off just 33 balls saw him scoop Player of the Match.

Despite a dogged 49 off 46 balls from Evin Lewis at the top of the order the Patriots never truly looked like pulling off the victory. Moeen Ali caused all sorts of problems with the ball and the Patriots  left themselves with too many runs to chase in the latter half of the innings and a the chance to pull off only their second victory in the competition eluded them.

Rilee Rossouw’s run-out in the 15th over seemed to extinguish the last vestiges of hope and Shamar Joseph was clinical for the Warriors, a rapid spell of fast bowling saw him end up with 3/9 in just 2.3 overs.

“Words can’t explain how great it is to play at home, knowing you have the support of everyone – it’s just amazing,” said Hetmyer after the match. He was particularly impressed with the performance of Joseph.  “I think it was only a matter of time for him to start picking wickets. He is an exceptional bowler; we have already seen it in his short career so far. He is really exciting and all he has to do is just keep doing what he is doing and sky is the limit for him.”

A solid performance sees the Guyana Amazon Warriors keep their hopes of retaining the title they won last year very much alive.

The Trinbago Knight Riders pulled off a thrilling five-wicket victory over the Guyana Amazon Warriors on Wednesday night in a pulsating Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) encounter at Queen's Park Oval. A pair of back-to-back sixes from Tim David at the start of the final over sealed the win for the Knight Riders, capping off a match that was filled with drama and shifts in momentum.

The match began with a touch of sentimentality as Knight Riders' captain Kieron Pollard won the toss and elected to field first. Before the action got underway, the team gave Dwayne Bravo a touching guard of honor, recognizing what could be the veteran all-rounder's final game at the iconic venue following his earlier announcement of retirement from the CPL. However, once play began, the Knight Riders showed no mercy, reducing the Warriors to 76-7 with a disciplined bowling performance.

Romario Shepherd, however, staged a crucial lower-order fightback for the Warriors. Shepherd's gritty half-century helped his team recover from their precarious position, steering them to a competitive total of 148-7. His innings injected life back into the contest and set the stage for a tense chase under the lights at Queen's Park Oval.

The Knight Riders' response was anything but straightforward. Struggling to find the boundary during the middle overs, they found themselves precariously placed at 89/5. With the game hanging in the balance, the 17th over proved to be the turning point. Andre Russell, who was named Player of the Match, took charge by smashing three sixes off Nathan Sowter's bowling. This onslaught not only revived the Knight Riders' chase but also shifted the momentum firmly in their favor, reducing the required runs to a manageable figure.

Speaking after the game, Russell revealed his mindset during the tense chase. "The mindset was that I know I can hit sixes and that Tim David is a six-hitter as well. I told him that we had 24 balls, and we had to hit eight sixes," Russell said.

The final over began with Tim David on strike, and he wasted no time in sealing the victory. With consecutive sixes, David secured the five-wicket win for the Knight Riders, sending the home crowd into raptures and ensuring a fairytale finish was still possible for Dwayne Bravo in this year's CPL.

An emotional Russell paid tribute to his teammate Bravo after the match. "Who I am today has a lot to do with him. I am just happy to be part of this game. That's why it was an emotional celebration; he deserved that win... I think he'll shed a tear tonight. This one is for DJ Bravo," he said, highlighting the bond between the two cricketing stalwarts.

The match was a high-class affair, played with intensity and sportsmanship as both teams fought to secure a spot in the latter stages of the competition. With this victory, the Knight Riders move up to eight points from five games, positioning themselves well for a deep run in the tournament. For the Warriors, the loss was a setback, but their spirited performance ensured they remain in contention as the competition progresses.

As the CPL season heats up, the Knight Riders' victory has added to the excitement, and with Bravo's retirement storyline still in play, the 2024 CPL promises more drama and memorable moments in the matches to come.

West Indies legend Brian Lara believes Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) can justify favouritism in this year's Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 tournament provided the team’s pedigree and cohesiveness stand out among their rivals.

Lara’s views came during the launch of his book on Tuesday and ahead of the Trinbago Knight Riders’ almighty clash with reigning champions Guyana Amazon Warriors at the Queen's Park Oval on Wednesday.

While noting that the Twin Island Republic’s franchise boasts a deep squad of high-quality players, which makes them favourites, Lara pointed out that it is their performances that will account for whether or not they take home the title this season.

“I think obviously TKR will stand up as favourites every time,” Lara declared.

“When you look at the quality of players in the team, you would think they should go on to win. But again, in the past, we've seen the team that plays better win. It's not how many superstars you have,” he added.

With three wins and one loss so far this campaign, Trinbago Knight Riders currently sit fourth on six points, four points behind leaders Barbados Royals, who have played two games more. St Lucia Kings on eight points and Guyana Amazon Warriors on six points occupy the other playoff positions.

Antigua and Barbuda Falcons (four points) and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (two points) are fifth and sixth, respectively.

Being the only franchise to win the tournament four times—2015 as Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel, 2017, 2018, and 2020—Lara is of no doubt that Trinbago Knight Riders can add to their tally.

However, he stressed that it will take more than just talk and quality on paper.

“What we're hoping for with TKR is that togetherness. Individuals may win you a match, but teams win tournaments,” Lara reasoned.

“I'm hoping captain Kieron Pollard will keep the guys together; they work hard, be humble, and get the victory that's necessary,” he noted.

With both the Trinbago Knight Riders and the Guyana Amazon Warriors showing some degree of consistency so far this season, Wednesday’s clash is expected to be a humdinger to kickstart the former’s home leg of fixtures.

England all-rounder Chris Jordan will bolster the Knight Riders bowling attack as he replaces the injured American Ali Khan.

But the Amazon Warriors have also strengthened their bowling attack with the inclusion of Australian leg spinner Nathan Sowter, who temporarily replaces captain Imran Tahir, recovering from an injury.