ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA – Cricket West Indies (CWI) President Dr. Kishore Shallow has extended his congratulations to the St Lucia Kings for clinching their first-ever Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title.
The Kings secured their landmark victory with a six-wicket win over defending champions, the Guyana Amazon Warriors, in a thrilling final at Providence Stadium in Guyana.
Dr. Shallow, in his commendation, praised the Kings’ determination and effort throughout the tournament. “The St Lucia Kings have carved out their place in cricket history. Their performance this season has been a testament to hard work, tenacity, and an unwavering will to win,” he stated. He highlighted key moments in the final, noting the pivotal contributions of Aaron Jones and Roston Chase, whose crucial partnership at a decisive juncture helped steer the team to victory, along with the astute leadership of captain Faf du Plessis.
“This win also shines a spotlight on the incredible work of Head Coach Daren Sammy, whose experience and guidance have been instrumental in the Kings’ success. His belief in the team and his tactical acumen have taken them to this historic moment,” Shallow added.
Significance of the victory
The CWI President further acknowledged the significance of the victory for St Lucia, as the island nation has recently experienced a surge in national pride. He expressed special congratulations to Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre and the people of St Lucia. “This victory arrives at an exhilarating time for St Lucia, which has already been celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of Olympic gold medalist and fastest woman in the world, Julien Alfred. There is much for the nation to be proud of, and this cricketing achievement adds to an already uplifting year for Saint Lucian sports.”
Dr. Shallow also emphasized the positive impact that young, emerging players have had on this year’s CPL, underlining the depth of cricketing talent in the Caribbean. “This edition of CPL will be remembered for the influence of our Emerging Players, with over 50 appearances throughout the tournament. It speaks volumes about the future of West Indies cricket, as we continue to see remarkable talent making waves at this level.”
Notable emerging players in the 2024 CPL include St Lucia’s own Ackeem Auguste, the former West Indies Boys Under-19 captain, along with Shaqkere Parris of the Trinbago Knight Riders and Antigua and Barbuda Falcons’ Jewel Andrew, the latter of whom has recently been selected for the West Indies Men’s ODI squad to tour Sri Lanka.
In closing, Dr. Shallow reiterated CWI’s commitment to fostering its partnership with the CPL, acknowledging the league’s role in strengthening and advancing the game in the region. The CPL, he remarked, remains a vital platform for showcasing the talent and passion that define Caribbean cricket.
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