SLK VS GUY T20S

So, that is all from this game. No one can fight the rain gods, not even local, Guyana Amazon Warriors and they have to do it all over again against Barbados Royals. Thankfully, they finished in the top two in the group stages, and that gives them a chance to have another shot at the finals. Do join us for Qualifiers 2 on the 4th of this month at 4.30 am IST (11 pm GMT, the previous day). Do join us early for the build-up. Till then, cheers!

The captain of Saint Lucia Kings, Faf du Plessis says that it was controversial to bat first but in a semi-final like this you always want to put runs on the board. Adds that the new ball spun a bit too much, but Charles was simply brilliant with the bat. Mentions that he and Charles have been consistent at the top for a few seasons now and it is good to score some runs personally as well. Says that Charles has worked on his game, and he is now taking on the spinners as well which he struggled to do earlier. States that they have adapted to conditions really well this season barring a couple of games at home. Further adds that he was gutted when he got injured just before the final last time when they made and it is always hard for a team to lose a key batter as he was in good form back then. Tells that it was still a last-ball finish but he would have liked to make an impact. Ends by saying that he is happy that he will be getting the chance this season and they will give everything to win the title.

Imran Tahir, the skipper of Guyana Amazon Warriors says Saint Lucia Kings played really well and feels they let themselves down in the Powerplay, they were trying different options and unfortunately, Paul got out, so they could go with another opener in the next game. Mentions they came back well in the second half of the first innings. Credits the way Moeen Ali bowled with the wet ball in the death overs. Shares that they are a local team and they know the conditions better than anyone else. Admits they won't let their fans down and try and win against the Royals.

Johnson Charles is the Player of the Match. He says that the game plan was to have positive intent. Adds that he has been dismissed most by left-arm spinners but you have to keep finding ways to score runs and keep a positive mindset. Mentions that the game is evolving and you have to evolve with it as well. Says that you have to keep up with the pace of the modern game and that is why he has brought in those shots like the switch hits to his game. Further adds that he and Faf understand each other well and they have different playing styles which also helps them unsettle the bowlers and it is a treat to bat with the skipper. Tells that he is very happy to qualify for the final with Saint Lucia. Ends by saying that technically this is their year with gold medals coming in Track and Field and Hurdles and now they are in the final.

...Presentation...

All credit to the Kings' bowlers. They were right on the money at the start. Alzarri Joseph with his wicket-maiden first over and David Wiese's wicket in the first over set the tone for the rest of the innings. Had it not rained, Saint Lucia Kings would have defended this total as they had a lot of runs to play with. It was all possible thanks to Johnson Charles' incredible 79 off 45 deliveries.  He was the main architect of the total. Faf du Plessis gave him able support with his fifty and Saint Lucia Kings got a perfect finish from the likes of David Wiese and Tim Seifert as well. However, the rain god had the last say.

Moeen Ali said in a quick chat halfway through the game that the dew have started to kick in but it was not the case when Saint Lucia Kings had the ball in the hand. Also, the decision to open with Keemo Paul didn't work. Guyana Amazon Warriors couldn't make most of the Powerplay and instead lost the momentum early on in the innings. Hope and Gurbaz got off to a start but failed to continue. Guyana Amazon Warriors kept on losing wickets and felt like it would be a long chase but Shimron Hetmyer revived the innings by hitting four sixes in two overs. He almost started the comeback before the rain arrived.

UPDATE - The inevitable has happened. The match has been called off and SAINT LUCIA KINGS ARE INTO THE FINALS. However, Guyana Amazon Warriors will feel gutted, they'll feel the rain probably arrived at the wrong time as despite losing wickets, the way Shimron Hetmyer was batting, anything was possible but Guyana Amazon Warriors still have one more shot for the finals as they'll face Barbados Royals in Qualifier 2.

UPDATE - 8.26 am IST (2.56 am GMT) - We have started to lose overs now! However, the rain has slowed down and we can see a Super Sopper working around the covers. The ground staff are waiting for the drizzle to fully stop so that we can be back on the field but they are racing against time now. Also, the cut-off time for this game to restart is 8.55 am IST (3.25 am GMT), so we have just less than half an hour now on our hands. Let's hope for the best.

UPDATE - 8.09 am IST (2.39 am GMT) - We have lost close to 50 minutes now and the live visuals show no movement on the ground as well. The covers are firmly in place and the wait goes on. Soon, we will start losing overs and the DLS might come into effect as well. Fingers crossed.

UPDATE - 7.45 am IST (2.15 am GMT) - It is still raining in Guyana and all the spectators are either under the shed or an umbrella. However, there is some wind blowing around and hopefully it takes away the shower with it. Stick with us for more news.

Oh..no! There is a bit of a drizzle in Guyana and it is enough for the umpires to halt proceedings here. The players are walking off the field and the covers are coming on now. Just as we started typing, the rain has picked up pace, and the big cover comes on now as well. If we do not get a restart, Saint Lucia Kings will go through to the final as Guyana Amazon Warriors are 15 runs behind on DLS at the moment. Hopefully, we do get more action because we have a long time left in the match. Stay tuned for further updates.

15 runs off the over. 29 runs off the last two. Flat and on middle, Ali nudges it to square leg.

Full and on off, Hetmyer turns it to mid-wicket for a single.

Superb fielding! Full and on leg, Hetmyer sweeps it fine to fine leg. Matthew Forde runs to his left and dives, flicks it back and saves two. Hold on! Looks like Forde's elbow has touched the ropes but the third umpire doesn't think so. Just two.

SIX! it's raining sixes. 100 up! Hetmyer is putting on a show! Floated full and outside off, Hetmyer takes a couple of steps forward and smokes it over long off for a six.

Quicker one, full and on leg. Hetmyer keeps it out.

SIX! Hetmyer has made up his mind! He is going after whatever is in his arc. This is full and around off, Hetmyer gets underneath the ball and thumps it over long on for a biggie. The man at long on jumps but to no avail.