Royals Make a Statement with Convincing Win Over Kings
The Barbados Royals beat the already-qualified Saint Lucia Kings handily in Bridgetown to earn their first victory of the 2025 Premier League on their eighth try. The hosts reached 191 thanks to a solid batting display, but the Kings' effort was derailed and they won by 27 runs with to three wickets apiece from Ramon Simmonds and Daniel Sams.
In the season's opening day match at the venue, the Royals were put in to bat and started against spin. Khary Pierre led the Kings' attack on a surface that was providing support. Quinton de Kock was removed by the left-arm spinner's strike in his second over, but a 53-run partnership between Brandon King and Kadeem Alleyne kept the innings steady. After a costly misfire, King was given a respite when Delano Potgieter dropped him off Pierre.
Although the Royals only scored 39 in the PowerPlay, they picked up speed in the next two overs before Tabraiz Shamsi put an end to the stand. King struck a helpful 42 to put the Royals at 72 at the midway point, having benefited from his early let-off. In a 21-ball 39, Alleyne maintained his aggressive style by hitting three sixes and as many fours before losing to Shamsi, who finished with a commanding 3 for 26 to support his previous achievements against the Trinbago Knight Riders.
Chris Green and captain Rovman Powell provided the Royals with the late surge they needed, as they were at 130 by the 17th over. Between them, the two struck six fours and four sixes as they hammered 61 in the last three overs. Green contributed 25 off 14 balls, and Powell finished undefeated with 41 off 17 balls.
That momentum was carried over into the Royals' defense. Green hit Johnson Charles with his second ball while spin was still working, and he held a catch in the following over as Ramon Simmonds got rid of Ackeem Auguste. Soon after, Green took the crucial wicket of Roston Chase, which left the Kings in shock. They were 66 for 5 at the midway point. Tim David's 28-ball 44, which included four sixes, offered some fight, but he was unable to stop a crushing loss.
Brief scores:
Barbados Royals 191/5 in 20 overs (Rovman Powell 41*, Kadeem Alleyne 39; Tabraiz Shamsi 3-26) beat Saint Lucia Kings 164/9 in 20 overs (Tim David 44; Ramon Simmonds 3-28, Daniel Sams 3-31) by 27 runs.