Aaron Jones' explosive innings led Saint Lucia Kings to their first CPL title, overcoming Guyana Amazon Warriors with a six-wicket win.
In a thrilling conclusion to the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024, the Saint Lucia Kings etched their name into CPL history by winning their maiden title, thanks to an extraordinary performance by Aaron Jones. The final, played against the Guyana Amazon Warriors, saw Saint Lucia secure a dramatic six-wicket victory with 11 balls to spare, marking an unforgettable finish to a closely contested season. The triumph was largely shaped by Aaron Jones, whose heroic batting in the later overs swung the game decisively in the Kings' favor. This landmark win, held at the Providence Stadium in Guyana, will be remembered for years to come, as the Kings finally lifted the coveted CPL trophy.
Amazon vs Kings Highlights CPL 2024 Final
The Saint Lucia Kings secured their maiden Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title in 2024 by defeating the Guyana Amazon Warriors in a thrilling six-wicket victory. Aaron Jones played a pivotal role, smashing 27 runs off Moeen Ali's 16th over, which turned the game in Saint Lucia's favor. Despite a difficult start, the Kings chased down a target of 138, with Jones remaining unbeaten on 48. This memorable win ended the Kings’ long wait for CPL glory.
CPL 2024 Final: Guyana Amazon Warriors Set the Stage
The final started with Saint Lucia winning the toss and opting to field first, a decision made by their captain, Faf du Plessis. The Guyana Amazon Warriors, defending champions, entered the match with the aim of retaining their title and posted a competitive total of 138/8 in their 20 overs. Guyana’s batting lineup was spearheaded by the experienced Shai Hope and Saim Ayub, but neither could produce a match-winning performance.
The Warriors found themselves in a difficult spot after a series of early wickets. Hope managed a steady 35 off 31 balls, but his dismissal in the 12th over was a significant blow to their hopes of posting a bigger target. With the scoreboard pressure mounting, contributions from the middle and lower order were minimal, with Romario Shepherd adding a brisk 22 off 15 balls, while Shimron Hetmyer and others failed to capitalize on opportunities.
- Guyana Amazon Warriors posted 138/8 after 20 overs.
- Shai Hope top-scored with 35 off 31 balls.
- The Warriors struggled to gain momentum after losing early wickets.
Saint Lucia Kings’ Early Struggles in the Chase
When the Saint Lucia Kings began their chase, they were met with disciplined bowling from Guyana’s attack, particularly from Romario Shepherd and Dwayne Pretorius. The pressure mounted quickly as Saint Lucia’s top order faltered. By the end of the 14th over, the Kings were reeling at 67/4, staring down the possibility of letting the trophy slip away. The required run rate had surged to nearly 12 runs per over, and the Warriors appeared to be in control of the match.
At this point, Saint Lucia needed 72 runs from the final 36 balls—a daunting task under any circumstances, let alone in a high-stakes final. However, this was the moment when Aaron Jones stepped up to the occasion, changing the course of the game with his aggressive, fearless approach.
- Saint Lucia Kings were struggling at 67/4 after 14 overs.
- They needed 72 runs from the last six overs to win.
- The pressure was immense, with the required run rate climbing steeply.
Aaron Jones’ Game-Changing Innings: Turning the Tide
Facing mounting pressure and a daunting run chase, Aaron Jones displayed nerves of steel. His assault on the Warriors' bowlers was nothing short of spectacular. The 16th over, bowled by Moeen Ali, will go down in CPL history as the turning point. Jones took advantage of every loose delivery, smashing Moeen for 27 runs in that single over. His powerful strokes, including three towering sixes, left the Warriors in disarray and breathed new life into the Kings' chase.
What made Jones' innings even more remarkable was his ability to clear the boundary with such ease, despite the mounting pressure. His audacious hitting in the 16th over instantly shifted the momentum of the match, bringing the required run rate down significantly and demoralizing the Guyana bowlers. From there, Jones never looked back, consistently finding gaps and sending the ball into the stands.
Jones wasn’t alone in his heroics. Roston Chase, playing a critical supporting role, added 39 off 22 balls, providing stability at the other end. Together, they orchestrated one of the most memorable run chases in CPL finals history.
- Aaron Jones smashed Moeen Ali for 27 runs in the 16th over.
- His fearless hitting turned the game in favor of Saint Lucia Kings.
- Jones remained unbeaten on 48 off 31 balls, and Roston Chase supported with 39 off 22 balls.
Guyana Amazon Warriors' Collapse Under Pressure
As the runs flowed from Jones’ bat, the Warriors bowlers began to unravel. Dwayne Pretorius was hit for 20 runs in the 17th over, and Romario Shepherd conceded another 18 runs in the 18th, leaving the Kings needing just one run from the final two overs. The once-enthusiastic crowd at Providence Stadium was stunned into silence as the game slipped away from the home side.
The final blow came in the 19th over when Imran Tahir, the Warriors’ captain, delivered a leg-side wide, gifting the winning run to the Kings. The match ended in an anti-climactic but fitting manner, as Jones and Chase calmly walked off the field, having secured Saint Lucia's first-ever CPL title.
- Dwayne Pretorius and Romario Shepherd struggled in the death overs.
- The home crowd was left stunned as the match slipped out of the Warriors' hands.
- Imran Tahir bowled a wide to seal Saint Lucia Kings' maiden CPL victory.
A Maiden Title for Saint Lucia Kings: A Historic Moment
The emotions were palpable as the Saint Lucia Kings celebrated their maiden CPL title. For many in the squad, it was a moment of redemption after years of near misses. For Faf du Plessis, this victory was a testament to the belief and resilience of his team, and for Aaron Jones, it was a defining moment in his career.
After the match, Jones expressed his joy and confidence in his ability to win matches for his team: “I always see myself as a match-winner. We knew playing in the final would be tough, but I believed we could come out on top, and we did.”
- Saint Lucia Kings won their first CPL title in 2024.
- The victory was a culmination of belief, teamwork, and resilience.
- Aaron Jones and Roston Chase were the heroes in a memorable final.
Conclusion
The 2024 CPL final will go down in history as one of the most dramatic and thrilling encounters ever witnessed in the tournament. Aaron Jones’ remarkable innings, supported by Roston Chase, propelled the Saint Lucia Kings to their maiden title, overcoming the Guyana Amazon Warriors in front of a shocked Providence crowd. This victory not only ended the Kings' long wait for CPL glory but also underscored the unpredictability and excitement that T20 cricket brings to fans across the globe.
FAQs
Who won the CPL 2024 final?
The Saint Lucia Kings won the CPL 2024 final, defeating the Guyana Amazon Warriors by six wickets.What was Aaron Jones’ contribution in the CPL final?
Aaron Jones played a match-winning knock, scoring an unbeaten 48 off 31 balls, including a pivotal 27-run over against Moeen Ali.How many runs did Guyana Amazon Warriors score in the CPL final?
The Guyana Amazon Warriors posted a total of 138/8 in their 20 overs.Who was the captain of the Saint Lucia Kings in CPL 2024?
Faf du Plessis was the captain of the Saint Lucia Kings during their victorious CPL 2024 campaign.What was the turning point of the CPL 2024 final?
The turning point came in the 16th over, when Aaron Jones smashed Moeen Ali for 27 runs, shifting the momentum in favor of Saint Lucia Kings.
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