Chase's All-Round Brilliance Edges Out Holder's Heroics in Last-Ball CPL Thriller
In a nail-biting finish that went down to the last ball, St Lucia Kings edged past St Kitts and Nevis Patriots by three runs to secure their first win of the 2025 Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Roston Chase starred with both bat and ball, while Jason Holder’s valiant knock for the Patriots went in vain.
After being sent in to bat, Kings posted a commanding total of 200 for 8, thanks to solid contributions from Roston Chase (61 off 38 balls), Johnson Charles (52 off 30), and Tim David (46 off 23). Despite a shaky start at 21 for 2, Charles and Chase built momentum with a rapid 50-run stand, followed by a 80-run partnership between Chase and David. David’s fireworks included three sixes off a single Holder over, pushing the Kings past the 200 mark.
However, the finish to the innings lacked steam, with Kings managing just 21 runs in the last three overs after Chase and David departed.
In response, the Patriots began positively with Andre Fletcher and Kyle Mayers adding 43 runs in the first 4.2 overs. But the tide turned quickly as David Wiese removed Mayers and Khary Pierre struck twice in the powerplay, dismissing Fletcher and Mikyle Louis to reduce the Patriots to 49 for 3. When Rilee Rossouw fell to Chase shortly after, the situation worsened at 66 for 4.
That’s when Jason Holder stepped up with a blistering counter-attack. He brought up his fifty in just 23 balls, striking five sixes in his 63-run blitz off 29 deliveries. Holder shared a 77-run partnership with Navin Bidaisee, who initially played second fiddle but opened up after Holder’s dismissal.
With 13 needed off the last over, Bidaisee took it deep and brought the equation down to four runs off the final ball. But Wiese, entrusted with the last over, held his nerve. Bidaisee failed to clear long-off on the final delivery, where David completed a crucial catch to seal the win.
Roston Chase, who not only scored 61 but also picked up 2 for 27 in his four overs, was deservedly named Player of the Match. He also dismissed the dangerous Rossouw after dropping a tough return catch earlier.
Despite spirited efforts from Holder and Bidaisee — the latter finishing on 50 off 35 — the Patriots fell just short at 197 for 6, suffering their third loss in four games.
Score Summary:
St Lucia Kings: 200/8 in 20 overs
(Chase 61, Charles 52, David 46; Mayers 2-24, Farooqi 2-31, Salamkheil 2-34)
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots: 197/6 in 20 overs
(Holder 63, Bidaisee 50; Pierre 2-25, Chase 2-27)
Result: St Lucia Kings won by 3 runs
Player of the Match: Roston Chase
Next Fixtures: The Kings will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming matches, while the Patriots will need to regroup quickly as they stare at a tough road ahead in CPL 2025.