Falcons vs Kings, 5th Match at North Sound, CPL, Aug 17 2025 - Ball by Ball Commentary
The match concludes without any bat and ball activity, which is disheartening. But we go on, and perhaps the weather will be kind to us in the next days, especially in Antigua. This is Rashad Mahbub signing off on behalf of Venkat Raghav and the rest of the ESPNcricinfo staff. Goodbye and goodnight!
CoachSanjay: "After the action packed game between TKR and SKNP this morning, this is a pretty damp ending to the weekend."
10:08 pm There are still damp areas on the pitch, particularly in the good and full-length regions. It appears that we are done for the day. The captains shake hands, and the match is called off. It's been a waiting game for more than three hours, and nature has finally won. The points are shared, and the Falcons advance to the top of the standings.
9:45 pm The umpires, captains, and ground staff are all still out there. They're in contact with some areas of the pitch that appear to be damp right now. There is still no official word, but it appears that there will be further delays. The next official pitch inspection is at 10 pm.
9:14 pm The umpires are out there, along with the team captains. In a discussion with the umpires, Wiese points to a landing spot on the popping crease from one of the ends. Next inspection is at 9:35 pm.
8:38 pm Good news, folks. The rain has stopped, and the umpires are out there for another inspection. The side covers are coming off now. There are a few puddles visible right now. The super sopper must set to work and remove the water. The umpires are currently speaking with the captains. 9:10 pm is the next official pitch inspection.
8:19 pm It appears that we are in for another lengthy wait, as it continues to pour outside. This is the forecasted shower around 7:30 p.m. local time, with rainfall expected to be about 1.7 mm.
8:02 pm The drizzle has returned, and the covers are on again. And the rain is pelting down at the moment!
Pitch Report from Samuel Badree: "Pitch check. Lots of activities around, lots of rainfall as well. As I look at the surface, there is a little bit of concern from the umpires with regard to the surface moisture. So they've just asked the ground staff to continue rolling, and they'll get that blower out shortly so that they can dry up the surface before the start of play. We're on the same surface as we were last night; therefore, the dimensions are the same. just a reminder. Then it's 60 meters to my left, the shorter side hitting with the wind, and on the other side, it's 66 meters, and then straight back over the bowler's head. If you're bowling from the Ambrose End, it's quite a significant hit, 75 metres. What we saw last night, and I expect that we're going to see it again, is a lot of seam movement, those deliveries from Jayden Seals up front with that new ball. He was quite exceptional. He was able to get that ball to move away from the right-handers, and eventually, he got the wicket of Brandon King. So when we look at what that is in terms of degrees, it's double the amount here, as compared to the other venue, at Warner Park. I expect that it will be a little bit challenging; with all of the moisture around, the grass is quite wet, and it will wet the ball, which will be challenging for all of the bowlers. Batters will have to find a way as well to get up to that 175 run mark, which is the average winning first-inning score here at Sir Viv."
David Wiese: "I'm very excited. But obviously, got big shoes to fill. Faf has been the captain for the last five years, and he's laid a fantastic foundation for this franchise. And I'm hoping to just continue in his footsteps. We know winning titles is difficult, and to back it up and defend it again is even tougher. So we just want to take it a game at a time. We've always come out to try to enjoy our cricket, and then hopefully towards the back end of the tournament, we'll be there and thereabouts. Like last season, we had quite a good combination, so we lost a couple of personnel, but we've tried to replicate that as much as possible, so the dynamic of the team is pretty much the same as last year, just one or two new faces."
Imad Wasim: "We are gonna bowl first. I think it's pretty much raining all day, so make the most of the wicket. Look, whatever happened is gone. I think we just continue what we did well yesterday. We know the conditions here. We know the wickets. So I think anything under 140 or 130, we will take it. It will be important in any tournament to win back-to-back games, but obviously, if you play well, the result will take care of itself. So we try to play well, execute our skills, and hopefully restrict them to an under-par score. Odean, unfortunately, is not playing. Springer is in."
St Lucia Kings XI: Johnson Charles, Ackeem Auguste, Roston Chase, Tim Seifert (wk), Aaron Jones, David Wiese (capt), Delano Potgeiter, Alzarri Joseph, Keon Gatson, Tabraiz Shamsi, Khary Pierre
Antigua and Barbuda Falcons XI: Rahkeem Cornwall, Jewel Andrew (wk), Bevon Jacobs, Shakib Al Hasan, Fabian Allen, Imad Wasim (capt), Shamar Springer, Jayden Seales, AM Ghazanfar, Obed McCoy, Karima Gore
Antigua and Barbuda Falcons won the toss and elected to bowl first
7:57 pm It will be a 19 over match. Powerplay overs will stay the same; the first six. Toss and team news coming up shortly.
7:42 pm It's almost time for the official inspection. Hopefully, some good news from the ground. The umpires approach the pitch for a look. The match officials are having a discussion. They also called for both of the team captains for a talk.
7:14 pm Darren Sammy, the St Lucia Kings' head coach, has entered the field and is examining the same spots. The umpires, reserve umpire, and groundsman are all gathered around the pitch right now to discuss the issues. The next official inspection is at 7:45 pm.
7:08 pm Now the main covers are coming off too. That was quite fast! But in the forecast, more rain is expected in the next hour or so. Hopefully, the rain will stay away. Fingers crossed. The umpires are out for an inspection of the ground and the pitch. They are currently checking several areas on the pitch.
7:03 pm Ground staff activity can be seen on the ground. They approached the covers, examined the situation, and returned. It's difficult to see what their actual task was from this angle of the feed. Finally, some positive news. The ground staff returned and began cleaning up the clogged water around the covers. And the bowlers' run-up covers are now coming off. The main covers are still on.
6:56 pm The intensity of the rain at the ground has reduced. However, no ground staff can be spotted on the live feed. I've heard the drainage system is fairly good, and Raghav says he doesn't see any puddles of water right now.
6:45 pm There is now strong rainfall at the stadium. More delay, and we still have one hour before we begin losing overs. Hopefully, we'll get some better news soon.
Roston Chase: "It's a good feeling always to do well for the West Indies. The guys created history in terms of beating Pakistan, and I played an important role in that series. So, it was a good series for me, giving me a good feeling. And coming into the CPL, bringing that form into the CPL, is a good space. And I just want to continue that form. We are the defending champions. Hopefully, we can defend the title. [Pressure on] I would never say that. It's pressure. It's just an opportunity for the guys to showcase their talent and what they've been doing last year, just to continue it. But I don't want the guys to feel pressured in terms of defending the title, but just to come out and execute the skills they had at the camp. So just for them to come out, enjoy the cricket, and entertain the crowds. [What's your role in the Kings' setup?] In the Kings, I think my position is in the top three or four this year, and I'm obviously bowling some crucial overs for the team, and also, being a senior guy, I'm just helping along the captain, David Wiese, the new captain. We had the captain for many years, but we have a new candidate here. So, my job is to help him, especially with the local players, as he may not be too familiar with everyone. So, that's just my job, and also to lead as a role model for some of the younger guys."
6:33 pm There was a heavy shower on Antigua. The covers had been on and off for quite some time. The sky is cloudy, and there may be some rain interruptions. Currently, the covers are still on. The toss is delayed.
The match earlier today saw a magnificent century from Munro seal a win for the Knight Riders against the Patriots. So, will we see another high-scoring encounter, or will the trend of this CPL season, which has favoured the bowlers, continue? Drop your thoughts in the feedback section below!
Standing in their way are the defending champions, the St Lucia Kings, who are kicking off their season today. They will be without their regular captain and star player, Faf du Plessis, due to injury. In his place, David Wiese will be taking on the leadership role. Despite the change in command, the Kings have a powerful squad with enough firepower in their batting lineup to light up the stadium and a bowling unit capable of turning any match around. The head-to-head stats also favor the Kings, who have comfortably won their last two games against the Falcons. It promises to be a fascinating contest!
The home team, the Falcons, have just managed to salvage their first win of the season in their last match, and they'll be looking to build on that momentum. Their hopes are pinned on the red-hot form of Karima Gore, a surprise new batter who has scored consecutive fifties this season. Their bowling attack also bounced back well, with Jayden Seales being particularly impressive with both the new ball and at the death. A win today could see the Falcons climb to the top of the standings, but it won't be an easy task.
6:15 pm Hello and welcome to ESPNcricinfo's coverage of another fantastic doubleheader day of cricket! We're here for the CPL 2025's 5th match of the season, live from the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua. It's the St Lucia Kings taking on the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons.
