Barbados Royals etched a consolation win against Saint Lucia Kings to conclude their tournament on a positive note on Sunday. On a batsmen’s day out, the Royals rode on some fine piece of stroke-play from Kyle Mayers and Glenn Phillips to chase down a target of 191 runs in 18.5 overs and by 8 wickets.
The Royals had a decent start to the chase after Mayers and Johnson Charles put 37 runs on the board for the first wicket in 5.1 overs but a couple of quick wickets pushed them on the backfoot.
But what unleashed next was simply a masterclass from Mayers and Phillipes as the two provided the much-needed resistance to the side and made sure that there were no further fall of wickets.
The two batsmen played in a cautious manner initially and then took on the Kings’ bowling attack to hammer them all around the park.
Mayers remained unbeaten at 81 off 62 that included six maximums and five fours while Phillips notched up a 39-ball 80* where he smashed a total of 9 sixes during the course. Both the batters dominated the Kings’ bowling unit thoroughly and took the team over the line with an unbeaten stand of 154 runs for the third wicket.
Roston Chase was the only Saint Lucia bowler to scalp a wicket in the innings.
Earlier, the Saint Lucia side posted 190/6 in 20 overs after Chase scored a fifty while Cornwall struck a 26-ball 40. Mayers returned with a three-for and Oshane Thomas picked up a couple of wickets for Barbados.
Barbados Royals skipper Jason Holder hailed Mayers and Phillips for their batting after the match.
“Credit to Kyle and Glenn, outstanding partnership. It was a really good wicket. On this wicket, you aren't quite sure what a good total is. Lots of positives. Everybody had different spirits. It's been a good campaign for few individuals but not good collectively,” he said.