Bowlers Give Warriors the Upper Hand
The Guyana Amazon Warriors began their CPL 2025 campaign with a solid five-wicket win over the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in Basseterre. Their bowlers set the tone, keeping the Patriots to 153 despite a fighting half-century from Andre Fletcher.
Evin Lewis’s early injury shifted the balance. In just the second over, he hurt his hand while pulling Shamar Joseph and had to leave the field after striking a boundary. The Patriots never really recovered from that setback. Dwaine Pretorius then removed Kyle Mayers, leaving Fletcher to carry the innings almost on his own.
Rilee Rossouw tried to hang in but struggled for timing, making just 12 from 14 balls before Imran Tahir dismissed him. Fletcher kept things steady, hitting 60 from 41 balls, but when he fell in the 17th over, the Patriots were stuck at 114 for 5. Some late shots from Jyd Goolie (24 not out from 15) and Abbas Afridi (10 from 5) lifted them past 150, but it always looked short. Pretorius took 3 for 43 and Tahir finished with 2 for 29 as the Warriors shared the wickets around.
McDermott Takes Control
The chase started with a stumble when Kevlon Anderson fell to Fazalhaq Farooqi in the second over. From there, though, it was all about Ben McDermott. The Australian went on the attack straightaway, ensuring the Warriors kept pace with the required rate.
He dominated the powerplay, striking ten fours and four sixes in a blistering 75 off 39 balls. His intent meant the Warriors matched the Patriots’ power play tally of 55 runs, but in far more convincing fashion.
Hope Steadies and Finishes the Job
Shai Hope played the supporting role early, rotating the strike while McDermott did the damage. Once set, he began to open up, picking gaps and finding boundaries. The pair added 114 runs for the second wicket in just 59 balls, a stand that left the result beyond doubt.
McDermott eventually fell at the end of the 11th over, but by then the Warriors needed only a steady hand to close things out. Hope provided that, finishing unbeaten on 56 from 39 deliveries. He struck five fours and two sixes, guiding the side home with 16 balls to spare.
Patriots Fall Back After Early High
For the Patriots, the result was a disappointing step backwards after the momentum of their opening-night win against Antigua and Barbuda Falcons. That victory had given them an early lift in the tournament, but they were unable to carry the same energy into this contest.
Andre Fletcher stood out once again, holding the innings together with a well-constructed half-century. His 41-ball 60 was the lone bright spot in a batting effort that lacked partnerships and urgency. Apart from Fletcher’s resistance, the middle order failed to build on the platform, leaving the side well short of a competitive score.
With the ball, there was a glimmer of hope when Fazalhaq Farooqi struck early to remove Kevlon Anderson. For a brief period, it seemed as though the Patriots might claw their way back into the game. However, once Ben McDermott and Shai Hope settled at the crease, the pressure evaporated quickly. The pair’s dominant partnership left the Patriots without answers, as boundaries flowed freely and the chase was reduced to a formality.
Ultimately, the Patriots were outplayed in every department. Fletcher’s brilliance could not mask the lack of collective support, and the bowling unit failed to contain two batsmen in full command. The challenge now for the Patriots will be to regroup quickly, address their shortcomings, and rediscover the balance that earned them success on opening night.
Match Summary
Guyana Amazon Warriors 154 for 5 (McDermott 75, Hope 56, Afridi 2-24) beat St Kitts and Nevis Patriots 153 for 8 (Fletcher 60, Pretorius 3-43, Tahir 2-29) by five wickets.*