In an electrifying moment during the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024, Barbados Royals’ Alick Athanaze showcased his exceptional fielding skills with a jaw-dropping catch against the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots. This remarkable play came during the second ball of the 14th over, further highlighting the Royals’ dominance in the match.
The Spectacular Catch
The scene unfolded when Rahkeem Cornwall bowled a well-placed delivery on the off stump to Ryan John, who aimed to clear the mid-wicket boundary. However, John managed only a top edge, sending the ball high into the air. Initially misjudging the trajectory, Athanaze overran the ball but quickly regained his composure. With incredible agility, he executed a spectacular dive to secure the catch, leaving spectators in awe.
This pivotal wicket not only marked a highlight of Athanaze’s performance but also contributed to Cornwall’s impressive five-wicket haul, which ultimately led to a comprehensive victory for the Royals.
Watch the Jaw-Dropping Catch:
Match Overview
After winning the toss, Barbados Royals’ captain Rovman Powell opted to field first against the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots at Kensington Oval. The decision proved fruitful as Naveen-ul-Haq dismissed both Evin Lewis and Kyle Mayers during the powerplay, putting the Patriots on the back foot early in their innings.
With key top-order batsmen gone, all eyes turned to skipper Andre Fletcher to stabilize the innings. However, Cornwall had other plans. He struck on his very first ball of the eighth over, dismissing Fletcher and following up with Mikyle Louis on his next delivery. The Patriots quickly found themselves in deep trouble as Cornwall continued to wreak havoc.
Cornwall’s Unstoppable Spell
Cornwall’s relentless bowling saw him dismiss Wanindu Hasaranga and Odean Smith, who fell for a duck after facing just eight balls. His final wicket of Ryan John capped off an extraordinary spell, finishing with figures of 5 for 16 in four overs—the best bowling figures by a West Indies bowler in CPL history.
The St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots were bowled out for a mere 110 runs, setting an easy target for Barbados Royals. Quinton de Kock then led the charge in response, scoring an unbeaten fifty as the Royals chased down the target with nine wickets to spare.
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