Rutherford blitz, Motie's three-for set up nerve-jangling nine-run win for Tridents

Sherfane Rutherford's explosive 31-ball 61 and Gudakesh Motie's miserly spell of 3-22 powered the Barbados Tridents to a tense nine-run victory over the St Lucia Kings in a rain-curtailed 18-over contest at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St. Lucia.

Chasing 178 for victory, the Kings came agonisingly close only to fall short, with the Tridents holding their nerve in a dramatic final over in which 29 runs were required.

Rutherford runs riot after early King-de Kock stand

Rain delayed the start and eventually reduced the match to 18 overs a side after the Kings had opted to field first. The Tridents lost Zachary Carter early, but Brandon King and Quinton de Kock responded with a brutal 56-run stand that put the innings back on track.

Kings captain Roston Chase accounted for both batters, finishing with 2-30, but the visitors had no answers to Rutherford's assault. Walking in at 90 for 3 in the 10th over, the big-hitting left-hander tore into Matthew Forde, backing up a boundary with two sixes before bringing up his first CPL fifty in three years with consecutive maximums in the 17th over. While he was dismissed in the final over, a last-ball six from Chris Green ensured the Tridents finished with 177 for 5 in their 18 overs.

Chase leads the response before Auguste keeps Kings alive

Roston Chase assumed the aggressor's role with the bat too, striking four fours and two sixes after opening the batting once more. The Tridents hit back by dismissing both openers within the space of two overs following a 41-run opening stand, and the Kings were dealt another blow when Jewel Andrew was forced to retire after injuring himself while attempting a quick single in the eighth over.

Ackeem Auguste kept the Kings in the game, striking a four and two sixes in the ninth over to ensure they did not lose momentum. He had little support at the other end as he contributed 45 in a 55-run stand with Charith Asalanka. Auguste brought up his fifty in the 12th over, striking three sixes off Ramon Simmonds, but was dismissed by Gudakesh Motie two overs later.

Final-over drama

Just when the Tridents appeared to have the game under control, Daniel Sams struck Amari Goodridge for consecutive sixes in the penultimate over to keep the contest alive. Although Sams was dismissed attempting a third blow, it set the stage for Forde with 29 needed off the final over.

Ramon Simmonds came under pressure after Matthew Forde smashed two fours and a six, but the bowler held his nerve, delivering a slower ball on the fourth delivery that forced Forde off strike. Joshua Bishop was dismissed off the fifth ball and, while Maheesh Theekshana struck a boundary off the final delivery, it was too little too late as the Tridents sealed a nine-run win.

Brief Scores: Barbados Tridents 177/5 in 18 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 61; Roston Chase 2-30) beat St. Lucia Kings 168/7 in 18 overs (Ackeem Auguste 63; Gudakesh Motie 3-22) by 9 runs.