CPL 2021 Final: St Kitts & Nevis Patriots beat St Lucia Kings in last-ball thriller to land maiden title

Basseterre, September 16: St Kitts and Nevis Patriots claimed their first ever Caribbean Premier League (CPL 2021) title as they defeated the Saint Lucia Kings by three wickets in a closely contested encounter at the Warner Park on Thursday (September 16).

The Saint Lucia Kings won the toss and chose to bat, as they did in their semifinal match. Despite losing wickets at key stages of the game, they built a total around the batting of Roston Chase, who stabilised the innings, allowing the likes of Rahkeem Cornwall and Keemo Paul to play with attacking intent and guide them to 159/7.

In what was a dramatic final, the Patriots managed to successfully chase their target with Dominic Drakes the hero with the bat, scoring 48 off 24 balls and securing a remarkable victory with the last ball of the match.

Saint Lucia Kings started their innings with the loss of both captain Andre Fletcher and Mark Deyal in the Powerplay. Cornwall got the innings back on track with some power hitting but the Patriots utilised spin to great effect.

Fabian Allen, Jon-Russ Jaggesar and Fawad Ahmed worked in unison to pick up three wickets in the middle overs and leave the Kings in peril.

"Dominic Drakes, you HERO!"
The Barbadian rose to the occasion to bag a maiden #CPL trophy for @sknpatriots, and here's how! 💪 #DominantDrakes

📺 Watch full highlights from the Hero #CPL21Final match on #FanCode 👉 https://t.co/DEIeoy2Z9d#CricketOnFanCode #CPL21onFanCode @CPL pic.twitter.com/R8qw6TZXcW

— FanCode (@FanCode) September 16, 2021

Roston Chase anchored the innings and a late burst from Paul, which saw him hit three consecutive sixes in an over as he scored 39 runs off just 21 balls, took the Kings to a challenging total.

It was a dream start for the Kings with the ball, as Chris Gayle was bowled by a Chase delivery, and not long after, Evin Lewis was caught out, with Chase being the fielder.

St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots lifted their first-ever #CPL title yesterday, celebrating with their own rendition of When The Saints Go Marching In!🏆🥳🎉

📺 Watch full highlights from the Hero #CPL21Final on #FanCode 👉https://t.co/DEIeoy2Z9d#CricketOnFanCode #CPL21onFanCode @CPL pic.twitter.com/4JknIBnrie

— FanCode (@FanCode) September 16, 2021

Joshua da Silva and Sherfane Rutherford began to rebuild, but quick wickets, including that of captain DJ Bravo, saw the Patriots in trouble at 95-5.

However, things would take a dramatic turn as Drakes recorded his highest ever score in cricket, firing six boundaries to take the Patriots over the line in dramatic fashion with a single off the last ball.

In a contest worthy of any final, the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots prevailed and lifted their maiden Hero CPL title in front of a joyous home crowd.