BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – The Guyana Amazon Warriors sent an early statement in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with a commanding five-wicket victory over the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots on Friday, powered by a blistering knock from debutant Australian batsman Ben McDermott.
Fresh off their opening-night triumph, the Patriots were brought crashing back to reality as the Warriors chased down 154 with 16 balls to spare, thanks to McDermott’s explosive 75 off just 39 deliveries.
The right-handed opener, making his first CPL appearance, smashed ten fours and four sixes in a breathtaking display at Warner Park.
After Warriors captain Imran Tahir elected to bowl, the Patriots posted a competitive 153-8, anchored by Andre Fletcher’s fluent 60 from 41 balls, which included one four and five sixes.
Trinidadian Jyd Goolie chipped in with a valuable 24 not out from 15 balls as South African all-rounder Dwaine Pretorious bagged three wickets for 43 runs and Tahir two for 29.
However, the total proved insufficient as McDermott and Shai Hope, who stroked an unbeaten 56, dismantled the bowling attack in a 114-run stand that left the Patriots with no answers.
The match’s turning point came in the fifth over when Naseem Shah dropped a sharp return catch off McDermott, who was on 32 at the time.
The reprieve proved costly as the opener unleashed a relentless assault, racing to his maiden CPL fifty and setting the platform for a comfortable chase. Pakistan’s Abbas Afridi picked up two wickets for the Patriots.
The victory extends the Warriors’ dominance over the Patriots, marking their fifth consecutive win against the franchise. More importantly, it propels last season’s runners-up to the top of the table early in the tournament.
McDermott, deservedly named Player of the Match, ensured the 2023 champions emphatically began their 2025 campaign.
With their batting firepower on full display, the six-time finalists have laid down an early marker in this year’s CPL.