Saint Lucia Kings' Johnson Charles Shines with 78 Runs as Barbados Royals Suffer Defeat in the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League

Barbados Royals collapsed to a 90 run defeat against the Saint Lucia Kings at Kensington Oval last night.

Royals skipper Rovman Powell won the toss and decided to bowl first with his unchanged line up that won by six wickets against Jamaica Tallawahs on Thursday.

The Kings, who lost their captain and one of their key batsmen Faf du Plessis, posted 195-6 in their allotted overs. In reply the Royals never got going and eventually slumped to 105 all out after a brief fight back from the lower order.

Two-time T20 World Cup champ Johnson Charles showed his class with an eye-catching knock of 78 runs which would eventually win him the Player of the Match award.

His opening stand of 97 runs with New Zealand international Colin Munro (33) did the bulk of the damage as middle order cameos from Barbadian Roshon Primus (19) and captain Sikandar Raza (18) helped them to an above par total which always felt beyond the hosts.

Once again, the Royals were off to an inauspicious start as left hander Kyle Mayers was dismissed for a golden duck (his second of the competition) on the third ball of the chase, nicking a full delivery from local boy Matthew Forde to Alzarri Joseph at fly slip. The Antiguan fast bowler held on to the catch which came quickly, much to the disappointment of the home support.

Joseph returned to inflict more damage on the hosts when he sent opener Rahkeem Cornwall (18) and Englishman Laurie Evans back to the pavilion in successive deliveries. There would be no hattrick for him, but with the score 24-3 inside the powerplay, the Royals were in need of a captain’s knock if they were to register successive victories on home soil.

At first it appeared like the spectators were in store for a treat as Powell caressed a sumptuous cover drive to the boundary which got many people off their feet in applause. It was a false dawn, however, as the following over, he attempted to get on top of a Primus delivery but only succeeded in lifting it to the waiting arms of Joseph at mid off.

Jason Holder (18) showed a bit of class with some deft touches to beat short third to the third man boundary, but despite his best efforts and those of youngster Nyeem Young (20), the hosts were comfortably beaten.

Fortunately for the Royals they face St Kitts and Nevis Patriots later today in what is their final game at home for this year’s competition. St Lucia Kings are next in action against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in Tarouba on Saturday.

Summarised Scores: St Lucia Kings 195-6 in 20 overs (Johnson Charles 78, Colin Munro 33; Jason Holder 2-40). Barbados Royals 105 all out in 17.3 overs (Nyeem Young 20, Jason Holder 18; Alzarri Joseph 3-7, Peter Hatzoglou 2-4). St Lucia Kings won by 90 runs. (JC)