Holder, Netravalkar, Fletcher bag first points for Patriots

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St Kitts and Nevis Patriots got on the board with a convincing five-wicket victory over Saint Lucia Kings, orchestrated by three-fers from Saurabh Netravalkar and skipper Jason Holder, at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Despite opting to bat first, the Kings’ top-order stumbled early with Netravalkar striking twice in quick succession. Opener Andries Gous departed for just four runs while Ackeem Auguste fell for a three-ball duck. The Kings managed to rebuild their innings behind a strong half-century from Jewel Andrew, who anchored the middle order with 58 runs off 42 balls, including two fours and four sixes. Kamil Pooran provided explosive acceleration, striking 54 off 30 deliveries with seven boundaries and three sixes.

The dangerous 81-run stand was finally broken via a run-out of Pooran, and Holder then sent back Andrew and Charith Asalanka in the same over to reduce Kings to 134/5 in the space of five deliveries. Despite the two fifties,the Patriots’ bowlers contained the rest of the lineup. Holder’s disciplined 3 for 20 was matched by Netravalkar, who claimed took 3 for 32, helping restrict the Kings to 155/8 eventually.

Chasing a target of 156, St Kitts & Nevis Patriots got off to a blistering start through Johnson Charles, who smashed 16 runs off just five balls – two sixes included – before falling to Matthew Forde. Kyle Mayers maintained the aggression, scoring 32 runs off 16 balls with three fours and three sixes at a strike-rate of 200.

The early headstart meant Player of the Match Andre Fletcher had plenty of time to stabilize the chase when his destructive partners fell after quick cameos. He made acontrolled 48 not out off 41 deliveries, featuring three boundaries and a six, while stitching handy partnerships with the middle order to finish the job for the team’s first win of the season. Kevin Wickham contributed 19 off 20 balls, while Dasun Shanaka (12 off 9) and Holder (10 not out) helped guide the chase home in just 17.4 overs.

Brief scores: Saint Lucia Kings 155/8 in 20 overs (Jewel Andrew 58, Kamil Pooran 54; Jason Holder 3-20, Saurabh Netravalkar 3-32) lost to St Kitts and Nevis Patriots 156/5 in 17.4 overs (Andre Fletcher 48*, Kyle Mayers 32; Maheesh Theekshana 2-22) by 5 wickets.