Patriots vs Royals, 18th Match at Bridgetown, CPL, Sep 17 2024 - Ball by Ball Commentary

That's all from us for tonight. On behalf of Thilak, this is Sreshth saying thanks for your company. See you tomorrow for the big game between old rivals Trinbago and Guyana. I hear that game is sold out.... so see you then!

Now the two captains.

Losing captain Fletcher: "Honestly there's no emotion. The way things have bene since the start of the tournament, we were hoping for things to get better, but unfortunately things have just been getting worse. We have to find a way to win. When you keep losing it is quite difficult, but you have to find the inner motivation as a player. We do go through bad patches but how to get out of it is a challenge. I have to do some soul searching, all the players have to do."

Winning captain Powell: "It's a very good home leg. Three wins out of four at home, we'll definitely take that. Crowd fantastic and we've played some good cricket. We came here with some form. We played some good cricket in all four games. We're right up there with the better teams of the competition. (Cornwall today...) I think his primary role is to bat to be honest. When things like this happen, it shocks not just us but also our opponent. It's good for him to give a five-star performance. (Crowd...) The crowd has been fantastic. My second year for the franchise and playing in Barbados as a home ground. When you come home, you want to feel like you're home, and they gave us that feeling. Credits also to our boys."

Rahkeem Cornwall is the Player of the Match for his 5/16: "It was a good performance. I just backed myself and put the ball in the right areas. (Favourite wicket) Not really, enjoyed all five. You don't get five wickets everyday. I backed myself and the team backed me too. (Team playing well..) I think we have a good unit and we are going with the momentum. (Crowd favourite...) Thanks for the support for the past four games. We gave them something to cheer about."

10.31pm A seventh loss in eight games for Patriots. And fifth win in six for the Royals. Handshakes among the team in pink, with de Kock and Athanaze also sharing a hug.

The Royals won the toss, and from there, they've dominated. Cornwall's career-best five-for wrecked the Patriots batting, and then the batting from Alleyne, de Kock and Athanaze didn't give the Patriots any opening. A one-sided affair, but perhaps many of us expected that given this game was first-placed playing last-placed. Nortje, Hasaranga, Shamsi were all expensive for the Patriots too, and were never allowed to settle. The Barbados leg of the CPL ends on a high for the home side, and they now go to another island hoping for a top-two finish from here on. We'll have the presentation shortly.

Only 11 runs to go...