Saint Lucia Kings were defeated by Barbados Tridents by nine runs in a rain-affected Caribbean Premier League match held in Gros Islet on Monday.
The contest was reduced to 18 overs per side. The Kings restricted the Tridents to 177 runs, but despite Ackeem Auguste’s attacking half-century, they fell short in the chase.
The Tridents began strongly, with Quinton de Kock and Brandon King accelerating the scoring from the third over. De Kock scored 38 from 15 balls before Roston Chase took his wicket, providing the Kings a crucial breakthrough. Chase soon dismissed King as the Tridents’ scoring rate declined.
Rivaldo Clarke contributed 15 runs off 22 balls, while Sherfane Rutherford scored 61 from 31 balls, including three fours and five sixes. Rutherford hit four sixes in the final four overs, reaching his half-century from 27 balls and helping set the total of 177.
In response, the Kings lost both openers within the first six overs and the Tridents maintained tight bowling. Auguste then accelerated, compiling a 50 from 28 balls and narrowing the target to 61 runs from 36 balls.
However, the Tridents fought back as Mujeeb dismissed Charith Asalanka for 8 in the 13th over, followed by Romario Shepherd removing Auguste for 63 from 34 balls, which included three fours and six sixes. This ended the Kings’ most promising partnership with 50 runs needed from 24 balls.
Despite continued resistance, the Kings were unable to overcome the mounting required run rate and further loss of wickets, ultimately finishing nine runs short of the target.
While the Kings were defeated, their performance displayed resilience, highlighted by Auguste’s aggressive innings and Chase’s all-round contributions. Saint Lucia Kings are scheduled to face Amazon Warriors on Thursday.