Auguste's 73 off 35 trumps Shepherd's 73* off 34 to lift St Lucia Kings to second
Oshane Thomas concedes 33 runs in a ten-ball over (the 15th of the Amazon Warriors innings) - the most expensive figures by a St Lucia Kings bowler in the CPL
Oshane Thomas concedes 33 runs in a ten-ball over (the 15th of the Amazon Warriors innings) - the most expensive figures by a St Lucia Kings bowler in the CPL
Scorer: K Vairavan | Commentator: Shashwat Kumar
10:50pm That will be all from us for tonight. We hope you enjoyed our coverage and we will be back with more CPL action tomorrow. Until then, from Sudeep, Vairavan and myself, Shashwat, this is goodbye!
David Wiese, St Lucia Kings captain: (On what was the difference) Ackeem Auguste. The innings that he playedâŠhim and Seifert, they set the game up for us. First ten overs, we executed our plans perfectly. Had them where we wanted them. He (Shepherd) then took the momentum away from us. Have to look at certain plans we did not execute. Guys will be disappointed (with how they could not execute), tough conditions to bowl. (Advice to Thomas) We wanted him to go in there and strike again for us. He takes a wicket and that cracks open the game for us. Nothing to stress about. We will just have to go, relax, come up with good plans and execute better. (On Auguste) Without that impetus he gave us, don't think we would have been in a position to knock those runs off that easily. We only needed eight and a half runs per over (after the powerplay). Still a young kid. The way he played tonight, took responsibility, did not throw it away and that was fantastic to see.
Imran Tahir, Guyana Amazon Warriors captain: (What went wrong) I think we lost early wickets and that was one of the things I can point out. The way Shepherd played, one of the best innings I have seen. We knew the pitch is good. We wanted to put runs on the board and defend it. Sometimes, you have to give credit to the opposition (for playing how they did and chasing it). It was a good score. If we did not lose early wickets, we should have got 240-250 (with our combination). With our bowling, 200, any day, I would have taken it but we did not bowl well and sometimes, you have to take it on the chin. Making batters to play to one area (and we were not able to do it), that is one area (where we made a mistake). (On their next game against Trinbago Knight Riders) It will be a big game. For me, every game is a big game. We are not taking anyone for granted. Today was a perfect example. Very excited and looking forward to the challenge.
Ackeem Auguste, Player of the Match: It is a good feeling. I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to show my talent. Thanks to my coaches and to everyone around me. Coach made it really simple - have an impact today and to back myself. I made it my day. Just play as freely as possible and enjoy. (On the feel in the camp) It has been good. There is a good rapport among the guys and nice to see the turnout from the Kings fans. My family was there, nice to have them supporting me, along with all the fans.
10:34pm A cracking run-chase by the defending champions, and they have laid down a marker. Auguste, from these very shores, was the star of the show, ransacking his way to a scintillating 73, which more or less cancelled out Shepherd's pyrotechnics from earlier in the day. Seifert did his bit too, especially during the powerplay, with David, Wiese and Jones ensuring that the Kings got past the finish line.
The Warriors will feel they gave away too many in the powerplay. 86 off the first six was tough to recover from and even though they induced a slight slow-down immediately after the field restrictions were lifted, they almost always seemed to be playing catch-up. Not all doom and gloom, of course - this is just their first defeat in three games this season, but this will sting nevertheless, given they had more than 200 to defend.
Just four more needed now. This could be the last over of the game, and it will be bowled by Blades. Around the wicket
Pierre on strike
Aaron Jones c †Hope b Pretorius 16 (26m 12b 2x4 0x6) SR: 133.33
Runs needed into single digits now
Oshane Thomas concedes 33 runs in a ten-ball over (the 15th of the Amazon Warriors innings) - the most expensive figures by a St Lucia Kings bowler in the CPL