Dangerous signs were already present on the Bridgetown night, and the Royals were comfortably situated after Brandon King’s 39 (28), Rassie van der Dussen’s 45 (41), and Rovman Powell’s blitz – 50 not out from 28 – lifted the score from 150-odd to 165/6. A total that looked defendable on paper, in practice turned to dust – the Guyanese reached 170/6 in 19.4 overs. This was a contest of fine margins. Here are 3 reasons why the Royals left with more questions than points.
Middle-order meltdown at the worst time
The innings of the Royals consisted of fairly respectable, but not very threatening, beginnings to the innings. From a robust 51/2, the Royals sank to 69/5 in 11.3 overs, at which point, Quinton de Kock, Kadeem Alleyne, and Sherfane Rutherford all made embarrassing dismissals, and robbed the Royals of all of their momentum, and had an assignment that required Powell to play like the hero. Where Powell was able to play a superb innings at this point in the match, it was way too little too late, and he would only ponder how many more runs he needed to have any small chance of defending a total. T20 games are won and lost in the middle overs, and the Royals lost them poorly tonight and had to pay the price.
Dwaine Pretorius’ match-tilting all-round show
Dwaine Pretorius had the most potent effect on this match. He bowled a tidy 4-0-25 – choking scoring at key times, then strode in to bash a match-deciding 53 off 34 balls – providing the anchor to Guyana’s successful chase. Pretorius steadied the ship after a mid-innings wobble with Shai Hope combining for a calm 62 not out, managing to accelerate when the pressure intensified. When a player is a dual threat – crack economy with the ball and continuing impetus with the bat – that is lethal in T20. The Royals’ bowlers had no obvious answers to find his rhythm and had no plan to disrupt that.
Death-over nerves and avoidable extras
Tight finishes win games at the end. And the Royals’ death bowling went jangle. Eathan Bosch and Ramon Simmonds were the key wicket takers at the death, but Chris Green went for forty-six runs in less than four overs, along with a few others who normally are not going to go for runs in critical times of the game. Extras proved very costly, allowing wide balls, a few byes, and a couple of no balls to creep the score along, creating less pressure on the Guyana batters. To let Quentin Sampson free his arms and score thirty-three off twenty with no tightened understanding of the plan, and no in-game changes to winning scenarios, didn’t have to happen.
Extras proved very costly, allowing wide balls, a few byes, and a couple of no balls to creep the score along, creating less pressure on the Guyana batters. To let Quentin Sampson free his arms and score thirty-three off twenty with no tightened understanding of the plan, and no in-game changes to winning scenarios, didn’t have to happen.
FAQs
Q1: Which Warriors’ players stood out in the chase?
Shai Hope anchored with 62* while Pretorius counterattacked with 53
Q2: Who was the Player of the Match?
Dwaine Pretorius won the award for his 53 runs and 1/25 with the ball.
Q3: What went wrong for the Barbados Royals’ batting?
Their middle-order collapsed, slipping from 51/2 to 69/5 in quick time.
Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.
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