By Samuel Peters
Quinton De Kock and Rahkeem Cornwall took no passengers on Sunday, leading from the front to help the Barbados Royals to secure victory in their opening match over the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, with an impressive nine-wicket win in the Caribbean Premier League at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.
The two put on 80 for the first wicket, virtually providing no way back in the match for the Falcons who have now lost three games in a row.
The big burly figure of Cornwall was the first to go caught for 34, and was the only wicket to fall.
Man of the Match De Kock smashed 87 with nine fours and five sixes, but was dropped on 17 by one of the Falcons’ best fielders, Kofi James.
The Royals reached the target unbothered by the run rate with 4.3 overs remaining.
Earlier, it was another classy display of batting from the ever-improving Jewel Andrew who played another mature knock to help his side to a respectable total.
Batting one position earlier than previous matches, the youngster found it difficult to score in his first few overs. However, he took the liberty of smashing 16 runs off a Naveen-ul-Haq over which contained two sixes and a four.
He was eventually outfoxed by Obed McCoy for 48 to top-score for the home side as they were restricted to 145 for nine from their allotted 20 overs.
Bowling for the Royals were McCoy, three for 31, Maheesh Theekshana, two for 21, and Jason Holder, two for 24.
The Falcons will face the St Lucia Kings on Tuesday night at 7:00 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
