Amazon vs Royals, 30th Match at Providence, CPL 2023, Sep 17 2023 - Match Result

10:44pm That brings us to the end of our coverage for this game. Hope you enjoyed it as much as we loved bringing it to you. The CPL now takes a day's break before returning with the Eliminator on Tuesday as the St Lucia Kings take on the Jamaica Tallawahs. Do join us for that game too but until then, this is me (Shashwat) saying goodbye on behalf of Binoy George and everyone else at ESPNcricinfo. Take care!

Imran Tahir, Guyana Amazon Warriors captain: It was a great game. Got the start we wanted. We wanted to bat first and put ourselves in a challenging position. Good to see the guys who came in perform and to see the youngsters hungry. Feel really proud (to put up highest-ever score in CPL for the Warriors). (On the bowling) Nice to be doing the job for the team. Motie bowled really well. We have been trying different things for the important games coming up. Really pleased, everyone chipped in. (What they will be doing between now and Wednesday) Probably rest a bit and then have a small training camp. Definitely a rest-day tomorrow (laughs).

Rovman Powell, Barbados Royals captain: It has been a tough season. All the plans that we came up with were not properly executed. When that happens, you will struggle. Lots of positives, lots of guys who have put their hands up in patches. He (Clarke) has been a nice, little player. Good that he got a half-century and he hopefully he takes some confidence moving forward from it. (Highlight of the season) For me personally, the highlight was Cornwall scoring a hundred in Barbados. We have built some friendships, bonds that cannot be broken easily. (On being bigger and better next season) Still with the Royals and optimistic about the future. The guys need just a bit of experience and exposure. Mix that with some good foreign talent and we have what we need.

Shai Hope, Player of the Match: (On his innings) I was trying to continue what I always do. Trying to have fun and express myself. (On the 32-run over) It was my match-up there. We had a solid start and I thought we have a lot of depth, so just went after it. Unlucky Rahkeem had to bear the brunt of it but one of those days. Everything we are doing is clicking. Hopefully we can continue it in the matches that mean a lot. (On partnership with Anderson) I told him to enjoy. Told him it does not matter if he scored a fifty or a duck. (On playing different formats) I believe I can score runs in whatever format I play in. I am enjoying my batting, it was a good track and I capitalised.

10:26pm A thoroughly one-sided contest, which perhaps sums up why the Warriors finished the league stage at the top of the table and why the Royals were one of only two teams to miss out on qualification. They never really got going with the bat and were playing catch-up, right from the moment Cornwall departed the scene. Their batting against spin also left plenty to be desired. Clarke, Holder and Brathwaite plodded along in the second half and that did nothing but delay the inevitable.

While the Royals were lackadaisical, the Warriors were proactive. Their lines and lengths probing, and their bowlers incisive. Spinners did most of the damage but Joseph was impressive on debut, hurrying the batters multiple times and asking questions. Pretorius, who has been a new-ball threat all season, set the ball rolling getting rid of Cornwall early.

The Warriors, in an ideal world, would have wanted their bowlers to be tested that tad bit more under pressure. That said, they will be pleased with the momentum they have generated in the last few days, and will be quietly confident of nailing down a spot in the final on Wednesday.

Around the wicket now

Smith to bowl the final over

Beaton to bowl the penultimate over

Slight concern for the Warriors as Azam Khan is walking off the field. Anderson will take the gloves in his absence. The Warriors will hope that the injury to Azam is not very serious, especially with the playoffs looming

Ferood : "BR needs the magician Carlos B to produce those sizes from here on !!" -- Even if every ball from now is hit for six, the Royals won't win this contest...

Smith to try his luck now. Good time to get some bowling confidence running through his veins