Drakes steers St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots to CPL glory

On Sep 16, 2021

St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots were crowned champions of the 2021 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in a thrilling last-ball finish on Wednesday in Basseterre, where 23-year-old Dominic Drakes tapped a single and ran to glory.

It wasn’t just a perfect comeback for Dwayne Bravo’s team, which had lost their way halfway into the tournament but also for Drakes who had conceded three consecutive death-over sixes earlier in the day.

He made it up with an unbeaten 48 off 24 balls, his highest score in T20 cricket as Saint Lucia Kings were condemned to a three-wicket loss, their second on the bounce in a CPL final.

Drakes got his match-turning 44-run partnership with Fabian Allen going with a couple of sixes.

Left with nine to get from the final over, with Naseem Shah for company, Drakes hit the fifth ball Kesrick Williams’ over to all but seal the game.

Saint Lucia Kings: 159/7 in 20 overs (Cornwall 43, Chase 43, Shah 2/26)

St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots: 160/7 in 20 overs (Drakes 48 n.o, Riaz 2/36). (Agencies)