Keemo Paul delivered a superb all-round performance to inspire the Jamaica Kingsmen to their second consecutive win in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), as they defeated the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots by 51 runs in front of a deafening crowd at Sabina Park.
Paul starred with both bat and ball, first producing a career-best 65 from 36 balls to help the Kingsmen recover from a disastrous start at 0 for 2 inside the opening over from left-arm seamer Saurabh Netravalkar. His explosive acceleration, alongside captain Rovman Powell, powered a 99-run partnership and lifted the Kingsmen to 181 for 6 in their final home game of the tournament.
Paul then returned with the ball to claim 3 for 30, while Andre Russell chipped in with 2 for 19 as the Kingsmen dismantled the Patriots, bowling them out for 130 with two overs to spare.
The Kingsmen were immediately under pressure when Kirk McKenzie, fresh from a half-century in his previous outing, was given out first ball. The decision was overturned, but McKenzie was bowled off the very next delivery, chopping the ball back onto his stumps.
Wanindu Hasaranga then turned the screws with an impressive spell, taking wickets in successive overs. He could easily have added another when Powell edged his first delivery between the wicketkeeper and slip, with three close catchers waiting around the bat.
With the Kingsmen in trouble, Powell and Paul set about rebuilding the innings. Their game-changing partnership steadied the hosts before a blistering finish produced 38 runs from the final two overs, with Paul doing the bulk of the damage to push the Kingsmen to an imposing total.
The Patriots needed to attack from the outset, but their chase got off to a shaky start. Andre Fletcher struck a six before being dismissed in the opening over, setting the tone for what was to follow.
Paul thought he had Johnson Charles caught off the first ball of his spell, only for the delivery to be called a no-ball for overstepping. He did not have to wait long for his first wicket, however, producing a perfect delivery to remove Kyle Mayers and get his name on the scoresheet once again.
The wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, with all of the Kingsmen bowlers playing their part. Only Kevin Wickham and Navin Bidaisee offered meaningful resistance, but with the required rate climbing beyond 12 an over, the Patriots were facing an increasingly impossible task.
Bidaisee became the first batter to retire out in this year’s CPL as he attempted to keep the unlikely chase alive, but there was to be no miracle comeback. Russell and Paul fittingly returned to finish the job, sparking jubilant celebrations among the Sabina Park crowd.
The victory moved the Kingsmen to second place with two valuable points, while the Patriots slipped to the bottom of the seven-team table. (CPL)
