Warriors beat Kings to reach third successive CPL final

Guyana Amazon Warriors reached their third successive Caribbean Premier League final with a nervy 14-run win over Saint Lucia Kings.

After being asked to bat first, the Warriors were bowled out for 157 in the final over. They were 98-5 and 107-6 but Dwaine Pretorius made 17 and Romario Shepherd 21 off eight balls to claw them up to a respectable total.

In reply, defending champions Kings, who beat the Warriors in last year’s final, slipped to 48-7 after 8.4 overs.

Khary Pierre shared 37 with Alzarri Joseph for the eighth wicket and then 32 with England’s Tymal Mills for the ninth wicket.

Pierre reached his half-century with a six and was giving Kings a chance with 41 needed from 20 balls but he became Gudakesh Motie’s fourth wicket the next ball.

Mills clubbed three fours and a six in the next couple of overs to leave 15 required from the last over.

However he was caught at cover from the first ball to leave Warriors one win away from claiming their second title.

In addition to last year’s runners-up finish, the Warriors were also beaten in the final five times between 2013 and 2019.

The Kings will have a second chance to reach Monday’s final (01:00 BST) when they face Trinbago Knight Riders in the Qualifier 2 on Saturday (01:00).