Patriots Knocked Out as Warriors Clinch Play-off Spot

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots’ hopes of sneaking into the Caribbean Premier League play-offs came to an end on Friday night, as Guyana Amazon Warriors sealed their spot with a last-ball six against Saint Lucia Kings in Providence.

The result lifted the Warriors above the Patriots in the points table, confirming St Kitts and Nevis’ elimination from CPL 2025 despite their dramatic one-run win over Barbados Royals earlier in the week.

For Patriots fans, the outcome was bittersweet. Having finished on eight points, the team needed the Kings to stop Guyana in order to remain alive. Instead, Dwaine Pretorius produced a stunning finish, clearing long-on with the final ball to clinch victory by two wickets. It was the second time in successive seasons he had delivered a final-ball six for the Warriors.

The Warriors had looked in control at 103 for 1, chasing 186, but a middle-order collapse revived Patriots’ faint hopes. Saint Lucia posted 185 for 4 thanks to a half-century from Ackeem Auguste and a brilliant unbeaten 90 from Roston Chase. Even with wickets tumbling late in the chase, Pretorius held his nerve to seal the deal.

The defeat did not harm the Kings’ prospects, as they remain locked in the top two and will get two chances to reach the CPL final. For Patriots, though, the playoff dream is over for 2025, with St Lucia, Trinbago, Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, and now Guyana, all confirmed in the last four.

For St Kitts and Nevis cricket fans, the campaign ends in disappointment, but Jason Holder’s leadership and the team’s late fighting spirit gave plenty of moments to cheer in a season that went down to the wire.