By Krishna Dua 
Saint Lucia Kings Rally to Beat Warriors by 4 Wickets
In a stunning display of power-hitting and nerveless batting, the Saint Lucia Kings secured a thrilling four-wicket victory over the Guyana Amazon Warriors at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium. The Kings successfully chased down a formidable target of 203 with 11 balls to spare, with the win powered by a magnificent, career-defining knock from young batsman Ackeem Auguste, who was deservedly named Player of the Match.
This victory is particularly significant as it marks the first time in CPL history that the Guyana Amazon Warriors have failed to defend a 200+ total.
The Guyana Amazon Warriors’ Innings: Shepherd’s Blistering Assault
The match began with the Guyana Amazon Warriors winning the toss and electing to bat first, setting a blistering pace from the outset. Their innings was characterized by controlled aggression and a late-order batting blitz. While openers Ben McDermott (30 off 18) and Kevlon Anderson (5 off 4) provided a quick start, and Shai Hope contributed a steady 23 off 27, the real fireworks came from all-rounder Romario Shepherd.
Shepherd, who had an impactful stint in the IPL earlier this year, proved his worth as one of the most destructive finishers in T20 cricket. He launched a brutal assault on the Kings’ bowlers, smashing an unbeaten 73 off just 34 deliveries. His explosive innings included five fours and seven towering sixes. The highlight of his knock came in the 15th over, where he plundered 20 runs from a single legal delivery against Kings’ pacer Oshane Thomas, a result of a combination of no-balls and boundaries.
Shepherd’s partnership with Iftikhar Ahmed (33 off 27) and Dwaine Pretorius (18 not out off 6) in the death overs propelled the Warriors to a formidable total of 202 for 6 in their 20 overs. For the Kings, Keon Gaston was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while David Wiese, Khary Pierre, and Oshane Thomas each claimed one.
The Kings’ Remarkable Chase: Auguste’s Heroics
Chasing a target of 203 against a strong bowling attack that included the likes of Imran Tahir and Gudakesh Motie was always going to be a daunting task. However, the Saint Lucia Kings’ batting line-up rose to the occasion, led by the youthful brilliance of Ackeem Auguste.
The 22-year-old left-handed batsman, playing with a maturity beyond his years, came to the crease and unleashed a fearless attack. He was the anchor of the Kings’ chase, constructing a magnificent knock of 73 from just 35 balls. His innings, a perfect mix of calculated aggression and elegant strokeplay, featured six fours and four sixes, keeping the required run rate well within reach.
Auguste received crucial support from his teammates. Opener Tim Seifert provided a quick-fire start with a 37 off 24 balls, while the hard-hitting Tim David played a valuable cameo of 25 from just 15 deliveries, hitting a couple of crucial boundaries to keep the pressure on the Warriors’ bowlers.
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, the Kings’ batsmen never lost sight of the target. With Auguste’s blitz at the forefront and key contributions from the rest of the lineup, they reached the winning total in just 18.1 overs, sealing the victory with 11 balls to spare. For the Warriors, Gudakesh Motie and Jediah Blades were the most successful bowlers, picking up two wickets each, but their efforts were not enough to stop the Kings’ relentless charge.
Match Significance and Implications
This victory is a significant turning point for the Saint Lucia Kings in the CPL 2025 tournament. It not only boosts their position on the points table but also provides a massive confidence boost after a mixed start to their campaign. The win proves that their batting lineup has the firepower and depth to chase down any target, and it highlights the emergence of Ackeem Auguste as a future star of Caribbean cricket.
For the Guyana Amazon Warriors, this loss is a sobering moment. Despite posting an impressive total, their inability to defend it against a well-orchestrated chase exposes a potential vulnerability in their bowling attack, which they will need to address as the tournament progresses.
The match will be remembered as a classic CPL encounter, a contest between a powerful batting performance and an even more powerful chase. It showcased the best of T20 cricket, with its fast-paced action, dramatic shifts in momentum, and individual brilliance