FIVE-TIME Hero Caribbean Premier League T20 title-holder Dwayne Bravo believed his youthful but experienced St Kitts and Nevis Patriots squad could go all the way to capture the coveted crown. And so they did.
At Warner Park in St Kitts on Wednesday, the Patriots won their first-ever CPLT20 trophy after securing a nail-biting three-wicket victory over St Lucia Kings in a last-ball thriller.
Batting first, the Kings piled on 159/7, led by stern knocks from Roston Chase and Rahkeem Cornwall, who both scored 43 each, and a late cameo from Keemo Paul (39).
However, an early 45-run partnership from 23-year-old Joshua da Silva (37) and Sherfane Rutherford (25) backed by a game-changing 44-run stance from Fabian Allen (20) and Dominic Drakes (48 not out) in the final overs propelled the Patriots to a nervy win.
Needing one run from the final ball of the innings, Drakes, who hit 48 from 24 balls (three sixes and three fours) braved Kesrick Williams’ final delivery by flicking the ball down the leg-side to snatch the winning run alongside 18-year-old Pakistani teammate Naseem Shah (one not out).
Although a first-time CPLT20 victory for the franchise, this was Bravo’s fifth of the nine-year tournament making him the only player to achieve such a feat. The previous times he won the crown were with the then Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel (2015) and then rebranded Trinbago Knight Riders (2017, 2018 and 2020).
This was also Bravo’s 500th T20 match of his illustrious career.
[caption id="attachment_913388" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Rahkeem Cornwall (R) of Saint Lucia Kings is bowled by Fabian Allen as Joshua da Silva (L) of Saint Kitts & Nevis Patriots watches during the 2021 Hero Caribbean Premier League final at Warner Park Sporting Complex on Wednesday, in Basseterre, St Kitts . - Photo courtesy CPL T20[/caption]
The difference this year, Bravo said, was belief and allowing youngsters to perform on the big stage.
“For me, all I ask from these guys is to back each other. It doesn’t matter whether you perform or don’t, whether you play or don’t play, let’s support each other and let’s stay together. It was all down to giving the young players the belief and the opportunity, especially Drakes,” he said.
Bravo thanked the Almighty for allowing the team to become champions. He also commended his teammates, the owners, the people of St Kitts and Nevis for their support and the island’s government for allowing fully vaccinated patrons back into the stands to witness this year’s competition.
On Drakes’ brazen display at the end, Bravo heaped praises on the 23-year-old Bajan for braving the storm and leading the team home.
During his post-match interview, the famed all-rounder said he when he held his first net session with the youngster before the start of the tourney, he told Drakes that he was one of his main players for this year’s edition.
Bravo praised his teammates.
“Evin Lewis, naming him vice-captain, taking the responsibilities and scoring the most runs for us. Sherfane Rutherford, Fabia
