Quinton de Kock delivered a boundary-filled masterclass to lead the Barbados Royals to a commanding nine-wicket victory over the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons in the fourth match of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in North Sound, Antigua.
Inserted to bat under clear skies, the Falcons struggled from the outset against a disciplined Royals bowling attack. They lost two wickets inside the Powerplay and were further rattled by the loss of two more wickets shortly afterward, leaving them reeling at 47/4. Despite the early setbacks, 17-year-old Jewel Andrew once again showcased his talent with a counterattacking 48 off 35 balls, including three fours and two sixes, helping the Falcons reach a modest total of 145/9.
The Royals’ response was emphatic, with de Kock and fellow opener Rahkeem Cornwall taking the game away from the Falcons right from the start. The pair blazed their way to 76 runs in the Powerplay without losing a wicket, putting the Royals in a commanding position.
De Kock, who batted through the innings, displayed increasing fluency and audacity as the match progressed. He brought up the victory in style, smashing Mohammad Amir for a four over extra cover followed by a towering six back over the bowler’s head, finishing unbeaten on 87 from just 45 balls. His innings, laced with boundaries and controlled aggression, ensured the Royals wrapped up the chase with ease in their first match of the 2024 campaign.
The Royals were impressive not just with the bat, but also with their bowling and fielding. Jason Holder stood out with his death bowling, delivering 12 dot balls in his four overs and picking up two wickets for just 21 runs. Spin twins Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage also played crucial roles in restricting the Falcons.
Brief Scores:
Antigua and Barbuda Falcons: 145/9 in 20 overs (Jewel Andrew 48, Obed McCoy 3/31, Jason Holder 2/24, Maheesh Theekshana 2/21)
Barbados Royals: 149/1 in 15.3 overs (Quinton de Kock 87*, Rahkeem Cornwall 34, Imad Wasim 1/21)
Result: Barbados Royals won by 9 wickets
Player of the Match: Quinton de Kock (Barbados Royals)
De Kock’s match-winning performance earned him the Player of the Match award. After the game, Royals captain Rovman Powell praised the South African’s influence on the team, particularly on the younger players who have been learning from his experience. “The guys looked sharp and ready in the first game, which doesn’t always happen. It’s great. Once we have Quinny in our team, it gets better,” Powell remarked, clearly pleased with his side’s dominant start to the tournament.
