CPL 2024 Match 4 Review: Barbados Royals knocks Falcons for a win

The Barbados Royals defeated the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons by nine wickets in the fourth Caribbean Premier League (CPL) match at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in North Sound, Antigua, thanks to a boundary-blitzing effort by Quinton de Kock. The Falcons were put into the game under bright blue skies, but they had trouble at bat against tight bowling. They lost two wickets in the Powerplay and two more wickets in short succession after that, leaving them at 47/4 and unable to reach a respectable score. 

17-year-old Jewel Andrew shone once more, this time with a counterattacking 48 off 35 balls that included three fours and two sixes to help the Falcons post 145/9 as they attempted to win their first tournament match. Andrew had previously scored 50* in the Falcons' opening game of the season against the St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots. 

Barbados Royals wins the 4th match of CPL 2024:

De Kock and fellow opener Rahkeem Cornwall put on an explosive Powerplay that significantly reduced the goal, as the Royals amassed 76 runs in the first six overs without losing a wicket. As the innings went on, De Kock batted through them, finding more confidence and daring strokes in his locker. In the opening game of the 2024 season, he wrapped up the encounter in style, first driving Mohammad Amir over extra cover for four and then putting the Pakistani quick bowler back over his head for six to end the match undefeated on 87 of just 45 balls and give the Royals a commanding victory.

In order to further limit the Patriots, the Royals demonstrated excellent bat and ball skills as well as precise ground fielding and some well-executed catches. Impressively, Jason Holder claimed two wickets for 21 runs and dismissed 12 dots in his four overs. Theekshana and Wellalage, two more spin bowlers, clipped the Falcons' wings.

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