Last Updated on August 29, 2022, 7:27 AM AST by Anthony Morris
In a fitting twist of fate, Chris Gayle, the SKYEXCH 6ixty tournament ambassador and the man after whom trophy is named, struck the winning runs to lead St Kitts and Nevis Patriots to the victory of the title with a three-wicket win over Trinbago Knight Riders in the series final at Warner Park in Basseterre, St Kitts, on Sunday.
Chasing 85 runs required by the team to secure victory, Gayle struck a delivery from fast bowler Ravi Rampaul down to the square leg boundary to seal the title for the Patriots and lift The Universe Boss trophy.
Patriots managed to score 85/3 in 9.4 overs.
After the match, Gayle said it was only fitting for him and his team to be there at the finale. He said he had told himself, “Chris, it is your trophy, it is your game, so we can’t do anything else. It was meant to be. Congrats to our team.
The self proclaimed Universe Boss stated, “Trinidad played some good cricket. They have a great bowling lineup as well. It was a great final, and this is what finals are all about, but The Universe Boss will be lifting The Universe Boss trophy.”
Patriots are also the defending Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) champions.
Gayle ended on 15 not out off 16 balls, and Andre Fletcher played a crucial inning of 27 not out off 23 balls, opening the batting.
Opener Evin Lewis cracked two fours and three sixes in his knock of 32 runs off 16 balls in the chase.
Patriots were cruising on 53 without loss in the fifth over but lost three quick wickets to give TKR a fighting chance.
Andre Russell grabbed two of the wickets for TKR, but Gayle and Fletcher managed to steer the Patriots home.
Russell ended up with 2 wickets and 11 runs in one over.
Having chosen to bat first, TKR managed to put 84 runs on the score card before getting all out in 9.3 overs as openers Sunil Narine (duck) and Tion Webster (five) both fell inside the first two overs.
Tim Seifert and Russell gave the innings some emomentum with a 44-run third-wicket partnership, but when the latter was run out for 22 runs, following which, the innings lost momentum.
Seifert finished unbeaten on 37 not out off 25 deliveries, his innings included one four and three sixes.
Left-arm fast bowler for the patriots Dominic Drakes ended with 2 wickets 17 runs in two overs.
Summarised Scores:
TRINBAGO KNIGHT RIDERS: 84 (9.3 overs) – Tim Seifert 37 not out, Andre Russell 22; Dominic Drakes 2/17 vs ST KITTS AND NEVIS PATRIOTS 85/3 (9.4 overs) – Evin Lewis 32, Andre Fletcher 27 not out, Chris Gayle 15 not out; A Russell 2/11.
The Patriots won by three wickets.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
