Barbados Royals women and Saint Kitts & Nevis Patriots men were crowned champions in the inaugural SKYEXCH 6IXTY after two thrilling matches at Warner Park.
The Universe Boss, Chris Gayle, lifted his own trophy as the Patriots won the inaugural men’s SKYEXCH 6IXTY. In the poetry of cricket, Gayle was dropped twice in one over before he hit the winning runs to see his team over the line. You couldn’t have scripted it better. It was written in the stars.
When put in to bat in the men’s final the Trinbago Knight Riders had a tricky start to their innings losing two early wickets and finding themselves 6/2 after just nine balls. Sunil Narine, who had batted so brilliantly in the semi-final, was dismissed without scoring before some incredible wicket-keeping from Da Silva saw the back of Tion Webster.
Andre Russell looked to be the difference and was striking the ball well, but a stunning piece of fielding put an end to his efforts before Terrance Hinds and Seekkuge Prasanna were both sent packing. Resistance in the form of an unbeaten 37 from Tim Seifert meant the Patriots needed 85 to win.
The chase started with gusto from the Patriots who unlocked the extra Powerplay for the first time in the tournament and they raced to 43/0 after just 20 balls. Russell made the initial breakthrough bowling Lewis for 21 and Narine made light work of Dewald Brevis who went without scoring. But the excitement really started when the Universe Boss strolled out to bat.
It is the 10th season of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and the Guyana Amazon Warriors and the St. Lucia Stars are the only two active franchises yet to lift the title.
There is a brewing consensus that with the Warriors hosting the finals for the next three years, a title could be on the cards after five unsuccessful attempts in a final.
Assistant Coach, Ryan Hercules is optimistic that based on the hard yards in preparation, this could be the season the trophy stays in Guyana.
“When you listen to the guys in the camp talking about what it would be like to win the finals for the first time in Guyana, it gives the guys goosebumps, guys get emotional…everyone is very eager to make it happen this year.”
“We have been getting all the support we need to make it happen and it’s just for the players to go out there and make it happen and put in the work,” Hercules stated in an exclusive interview with News Room Sport.
Game 1: Guyana Amazon Warriors Men beat Saint Lucia Kings Men by 7 runs
Game 2: Jamaica Tallawahs Men beat St Kitts & Nevis Patriots Men by 55 runs
Game 3: Trinbago Knight Riders Women beat Barbados Royals women by 29 runs
Game 4: Barbados Royals Men beat Trinbago Knight Riders Men by three wickets
Day two of the SKYECH 6IXTY saw the men’s teams join the party and a transformed Trinbago Knight Riders women’s team inspired by the return of their captain, Deandra Dottin.
The “World Boss” had been absent for yesterday’s two defeats but, having been cleared by medical staff, came out with intent. She led from the front smashing 45 from 33 and inspired her team to a crucial first win. While Dottin was impressive the day really belonged to 18-year-old Geetika Kodali, who took the first ever hat-trick of the 6IXTY as her team dominated the Barbados Royals and she finished with figures of 3/6.
For Kodali, who captains the USA U19 women’s team, this performance really put her on the map and showed the strength coming through the American system. Her performance today saw her dismiss some of the biggest names in the game. First, it was Hayley Matthews caught by Grimmond off a top-edge which she followed up with clean bowling of Britney Cooper. To top things off she then claimed the of the in-form Chloe Tryon stumped by Kycia Knight off a leg-side wide.
Veteran Windies batsman Chris Gayle has expressed excitement at the prospect of returning to the cricket pitch ahead of the newly innovated 6IXTY tournament, which got underway on Tuesday.
Gayle, who has not appeared at a cricket competition since the Bangladesh Premier League, for Fortune Barishal, will suit up for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots when the men’s competition bowls off on Wednesday.
He may be 43 years old and played over 463 T20 matches but the batsman, the most prolific scorer ever in T20 cricket, admits he can't help but be excited by the prospect of returning to the pitch.
“I’m really excited to be back in the field. I missed it. I’m like a kid again, looking forward to the first game… For my debut. I’ll have to get back in shape. I’m still in shape but just a li’l (little) prep here and there to get in that mindset of playing cricket,” Gayle told Espn.
GAME 1: Barbados Royals Women beat Trinbago Knight Riders Women by 28 runs
GAME 2: Guyana Amazon Warriors Women beat Trinbago Knight Riders Women by 15 runs
GAME 3: Guyana Amazon Warriors Women beat Barbados Royals Women by 5 wickets with 12 balls remaining
It was a blockbuster opening day to cricket’s most exciting new tournament as all three women’s teams took to the field twice on day one at the inaugural SKYEXCH 6IXTY. It had everything – a maiden fifty, sharp run-outs, power hitting, top-class bowling performances, plus all the innovations the 6IXTY had promised.
GAME 1: Barbados Royals beat Trinbago Knight Riders by 28 runs
The opening game saw Chloe Tryon put on a big-hitting masterclass as she shone with the bat for the Barbados Royals in the first-ever game of the 6IXTY.
In an innings that saw four sixes and five fours, the South African brought up her half-century in just 26 balls, reaching the milestone with a four. She continued to push through the gears and followed it with huge back-to-back sixes. It took an incredible catch from her South African captain Sune Luus off the bowling of Anisa Mohammed to remove her for 63 from 29.
