Students get free entry for CPL opener

In an attempt to engage youth and support cricket development across the island, the Barbados Royals will distribute more than 1 000 free tickets to school children for their first home match of the 2024 Caribbean Premier League (CPL). 

The match will see the Royals take on the newly founded CPL franchise Antigua and Barbuda Falcons on Wednesday, at Kensington Oval. This donation is part of a larger initiative by the Royals franchise to introduce young fans to the excitement of professional cricket.

Schools throughout Barbados are encouraged to collect the tickets on Tuesday, between noon and 4 p.m. from the ticket booth at Kensington Oval.

Jake Lush McCrum, chief executive officer of Royal Sports Group, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, acknowledging the unique connection Barbadians have to the sport.

“Cricket occupies a special place in the hearts of Caribbean people, and we are acutely aware of the need to inspire young fans to become lifelong supporters and participants of the game,” he explained. 

“Through this initiative, we hope to captivate school children by affording them the opportunity to experience the excitement of the CPL first hand. We look forward to their fervent support and the shared enjoyment of what promises to be an enthralling match on Wednesday evening.”

The Barbados Royals have enjoyed a fantastic start to this year’s competition, having won both of their games prior to their home leg of the tournament. In their season opener, overseas batsman Quinton de Kock was at his scintillating best against the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons as the Royals won by nine wickets. The South African left-handed batsman was unbeaten on 87 which included nine fours and five sixes to see the Royals finish on 149 for one with 27 balls to spare. Earlier in the game, the Falcons were restricted to 145 for nine thanks to a three wickets for Obed McCoy and two apiece for Jason Holder and Maheesh Theekshana.

The Royals’ second match against the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots last Friday was much closer and required a six off the penultimate delivery to secure victory. The Patriots endured a disastrous start, losing three wickets without a run on the board before managing to recover to 153 for eight, thanks to a brisk 82-run partnership between Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga (40) and Mikyle Louis (30).

The Royals found the chase challenging but ultimately prevailed, with Nyeem Young smashing a six over mid-off to secure a valuable win and full points from their two matches. The Royals sit in second position in the table with four points and a healthy net run rate (NRR) of 1.210, some distance better than third placed Falcons who are level on points but have a NNR of 0.531 after their six matches.

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