Saint Lucia Kings vs Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, 7th Match, Caribbean Premier League 2026 - CommentarySLK vs ABF, 7th Match, Caribbean Premier League 2026 - Commentary

That's all from our side from this game. Tomorrow we have a blockbuster clash as Jamaica Kingsmen lock horns with five-time CPL champions - Trinbago Kinght Riders! Goodbye and take care.

Roston Chase: (How do you sum it up?) Yes, thankful feeling, because we came here for a W and we got it. We didn't do it how we wanted to do it in terms of how we went about the first innings, bowling them out cheaply, executing everything that we wanted to execute. But then, obviously, making it a tight game with that low score is not ideal, but we're happy for the W. (Assess that bowling performance in entirety) Yeah, I thought it was a great bowling performance. We wanted to tighten up on the power play, and I thought that we had a great power play, and we just kept the squeeze on. We were disciplined in our plans, and I thought that the bowlers executed brilliantly tonight. So I want to say congrats to them. (When you had that target in mind, how did you assess what type of approach you needed?) Well, I just wanted to be aggressive early on to see if we could get some quick runs before the rains come, and in the five overs we needed to be, I think, 30-something. I can't remember exactly. So I wanted to get that out of the way, but it didn't work. And I think that that's what caused so many rash shots tonight. And then with the rain delays, guys probably not focused as much, although we had our chats after the rain stopped and stuff. But it's a young team, so these things may happen. But I just think that we need to be a little bit more smart in the longer run. So yeah, that's about it. (How does this set you up top of the table for the moment on four points?) Yeah, well, I told you earlier, the bowling power play, and I think we need to improve on our back-end in the batting. I think we're a team, our batting is a bit top-heavy. So I think going forward, we need to have someone in the top four, top five in coming into like the 18th over to bring the game a bit deeper before we try to tee off too early.

Moeen Ali: (How do you sum up the performance first of all with the bat?) Obviously we were very short with the bat. I thought we didn't adapt to the conditions as well. It wasn't an easy wicket, but it was probably 120-130, kind of scrape a score. But we just didn't manage to have a partnership apart from one after the two wickets down. But disappointing. Obviously now it's very disappointing when you feel like if another 20, 30 runs could have made a big difference in the Duckworth and Lewis. But I thought, I know we're going to come on to the ball, we showed amazing fight. And I think if we show that sort of fight throughout the game, we'll win more games than lose. (What did you say to the folks when the rains came in and your innings eventually ended in terms of the approach with the ball?) Just, you never know. We have got a quality bowling attack. I think we've got, it's that sort of wicket where you need that sort of test line and length almost. And nothing special. You just got to hold your area and let them make the mistake because it was a niggly total for them. It's not easy, a few wickets, and then all of a sudden they're a bit under pressure. The pressure was off our bowlers to some extent. But we just spoke about hitting good areas and just doing the right things really. And see, get two, three wickets early and see how they cope with the pressure. (The impact of the rain breaks, what was the effect of that for you, for them?) It probably played into our hands a little bit more than probably them because it's, you know, it was run-a-ball, we didn't have the score on the board. But the first break was probably more in our hands, I thought. Obviously with this being a really reduced score, it's very difficult to defend. It is the first time I've seen rain in a long time. Coming from England, it's been unbelievable weather there. But, you know, it can mess things up. But I thought our bowlers stuck to our plans really well and really proud of the way they bowled. I was saying just hold length, even if you're bowling wide. You don't have to bowl yorkers all the time, even though it's a death situation. I don't believe you don't always have to bowl yorkers. It wasn't that sort of wicket. But it's something we can learn from. I know the coaches were saying we haven't bowled that well at the death, but it's something, hopefully I can bring a bit of experience. And I don't bowl, so it's easy for me to say as well. So it's just drilling it into the side.

Matthew Forde: (How pleasing to you that you were able to get a match-winning performance?) You know, for me, it was more about the win. Getting over the line is always good, especially against this opposition. I have some good friends here as well. But it's always good to pick up two points at home and get our campaign underway. (What did you do tonight that pleased you most in terms of your execution?) For me, you know, I texted Avi, our analyst and told him, you know, I want to do some extra work before the meeting. And I did some extra homework today, and luckily for me, I was able to get the ball in the right areas, and it did something up front early, and I was able to get a few early wickets. So that's always good in terms of putting the opposition under pressure. So it was a really good feeling. (Do you see yourself as a powerplay specialist, or do you see yourself as somebody who's performing across phases?) For me, I want to see myself as a match-winner, whether it be the ball, with the bat, or in the field. You know, I want to always have that impact on my team positively. So, you know, in whatever department, and being an all-rounder gives me that privilege. So, I'll be looking to cash in in all departments.

23:30 Local Time, 03:30 GMT, 09:00 IST: The St Lucia Kings win by 3 wickets runs and climb to the top of the points table. Earlier in the evening, their bowlers delivered an outstanding performance, restricting the Falcons to 98/9 before rain halted play. After a lengthy delay, the target was revised to 84 runs from 15 overs. Another rain interruption during the chase reduced it further to 52 runs from 8 overs. In reply, the St Lucia Kings played several poor shots and were reduced to 33/7, but Joshua Bishop and Shadley van Schalkywk kept their cool in the closing stages and took their team over the line, completing the chase in the final over to register their second win of the season. Stay around for the presentation..

Down to the final over! 8 runs needed in 6 balls. Can see a few spectators biting away their nails. This is going right down to the wire. James who took a couple of wickets in his first over, is set to bowl the last over of the match!

Equation: 10 runs needed in 8 balls. 3 wickets remaining