[Watch] Wellalage Follows Theekshana's Suit As He Sends Fletcher Back For A Silver Duck
Dunith Wellalage traps Andre Fletcher (X)
In the ongoing CPL 2024 match, St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots are locking horns against the Barbados Royals in the ninth match at Warner Park in St. Kitts.
Nightmare Start For The Patriots
Earlier in the match, Barbados Royals captain, Rovman Powell won the toss and opted to bowl first. The Patriots have had the worst start they have ever imagined they lost both their in-form openers Evin Lewis and Kyle Mayers in the first over of the match and all thanks to mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana. Both batsmen were dismissed for silver ducks, leaving the Patriots reeling from the outset.
Dunith Wellalage Joins The Wicket-Taking Party
Things went from bad to worse for the Patriots when Dunith Wellalage, the young Sri Lankan left-arm orthodox spinner, joined the wicket-taking spree in the second over. Wellalage trapped Patriots captain Andre Fletcher and sent him back to the pavilion for yet another silver duck.
Dunith Wellalage delivered an arm ball at a perfect length, that skidded off the surface, which left Fletcher caught off-guard. As he attempted a push to mid-on, the ball beat him on the inside edge and struck him on the pads, leading to a confident LBW appeal.
The umpire raised his finger without hesitation, and Fletcher became the third batter to depart for a silver duck. This early collapse has certainly been a nightmare for the Patriots, while the Royals have capitalised on their bowlers' sharp form.
This devastating start for the Patriots left them in a precarious position. However, it is worth mentioning that Wanindu Hasaranga and Mikyle Louis provided a much-needed partnership and scored 82 runs in 42 balls.
Hasaranga made a significant contribution and scored 40 runs in 27 balls and Louis supported his well and made 30 runs in 20 balls. At the time of writing Patriots have lost 6 wickets at just 84 runs.