St Kitts and Nevis Patriots captain Andre Fletcher was straightforward with his words after his side ended their CPL 2024 campaign with a ninth defeat in a row at the hands of Trinbago Knight Riders in Tarouba on Sunday.
Yesterday alone, they dropped Nicholas Pooran at least four times. The in form left-hander then led a chase of 194 with an unbeaten 93 off 43 balls.
According to ESPNCricinfo logs, the Patriots had at least 23 dropped catches throughout their 10 games this season.
“The guys [bowlers] executed well and dropping five catches in a crucial game, especially a world-class player as Pooran…I know, but not many people know, we dropped 28 catches in the tournament,” Fletcher told ESPNCricinfo.
“As a fielding team, it’s poor, way below poor. It actually cost us a lot of games, which we lost.”
Despite their wretched form as a team this season, Fletcher praised his team-mates for having each other’s back through the tournament.
Across the last two seasons, the Patriots have a record of two wins against 18 losses.
“Knowing that it was a bit hard and tough for us losing, but tried to keep the team together as much as possible. We had a lot of team-bonding activities. Yes, as much as we weren’t showing it on the field, but sometimes when teams lose, you tend to have a lot of bickering in the team, but we never had that. We stuck together and we gelled as a team and it’s just sad that the result didn’t show. But I must say that we stick as a family,” he said.
“Just want to apologise to the St Kitts and Nevis fans. I know you guys are hurt, so am I. Unfortunately, we didn’t get it well this year, hopefully, next year it will be better,” he added.
Individually, the 36-year-old had a productive tournament with the bat, scoring 318 runs in ten innings at an average of 31.80 and strike rate of just under 150.
Along the way, Fletcher became the highest run-getter in the history of the CPL, but Johnson Charles, whose team has made the playoffs, has a chance to surpass him.
“I’m very pleased, to be honest, [with my batting],” Fletcher said. “People tend to remember the last thing you do. I really wanted to come out here and show what I’m worth. I’m happy to put on a great total for the team but unfortunately, we didn’t get over the line. But that’s how cricket goes at times.” (Sportsmax)
