Patriots men & Royal women emerge victorious in the Final to lift the inaugural title of the 6ixty:
Barbados Royals women and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots men were crowned champions in the inaugural season of the 6IXTY after two exciting matches at Warner Park.
The Universe Boss, Chris Gayle, lifted his own trophy as the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots won the inaugural 6IXTY.
Chris Gayle was dropped two times in one over before he hit the winning runs to see his team over the line winning the title for his team.
When put in to bat in the men’s grand finale, the Trinbago Knight Riders had a precarious beginning to their innings losing two early wickets and getting themselves 6/2 after only nine balls.
Sunil Narine, who had batted so splendidly in the elimination round, was dismissed without scoring before some unbelievable wicket-keeping from Joshua Da Silva dismissed Tion Webster.
Andre Russell seemed to be the distinction and was striking the ball well before a stunning piece of fielding shut down his efforts . Shortly afterwards Terrance Hinds and Seekkuge Prasanna were both sent back to the pavilion. Resistance in the form of an unbeaten 37 from Tim Seifert implied that the Patriots required 85 to win.
The chase began with gusto from the Patriots who utilised the extra Powerplay for the first time in the competition and accelerated to 43/0 after only 20 balls.
Andre Russell made the initial breakthrough bowling Evin Lewis for 21 before Sunil Narine handily took care of Dewald Brevis who went without scoring.
But the excitement really began when the Universe Boss walked out to bat. With a trophy named after him and everlasting boasting freedoms on the line, he emerged with his usual intent and went ethereal.
This always has its danger and with only 13 required from 12 balls he found Jayden Seales, who dropped him before only two balls later he was dropped again by Anderson Phillip.
With seven required off the last over, Chris Gayle and Andre Fletcher rotated strike until when four runs were required, In his typical style, the Universe boss swung hard and found the boundary on the on side. As the ball hustled away for four, the Patriots were already celebrating, and Chris Gayle’s grin was only a sign of what it intended to bring home the maiden title and to lift a trophy named after him.
The Barbados Royals has secured the title in the first release of women’s 6IXTY:
Shakera Selman delivered a magical spell to paralyze the Trinbago Knight Riders women’s and assist Barbados Royals to become the first to lift the women’s Universe Boss 6IXTY trophy.
Batting first, Barbados Royals openers skipper Hayley Matthews and Aaliyah Alleyne set the foundation before Hayley Matthews fell for 15.
Their difficulties proceeded when the in-form Chloe Tryon was stumped without adding to the score and Alleyne also fell not long after these two courtesy of some splendid bowling from Anisa Mohammed in the middle overs.
Chinelle Henry led the resistance with her 15 runs and the batting side came to 64 runs after which Cooper was stumped for 6 and the Barbados Royals were all out for 65 runs off 56 balls.
It had been an all-round effort in the field by the Trinbago Knight Riders and with Deandra Dottin opening the batting and in fine form, they looked confident as they came out to chase the target in pursuit of the title.
When Lee-Ann Kirby fell in the first over it was clear the chase would be really hard. Then in a shock twist, Deandra Dottin cleaved on to her own stumps in same over and out of nowhere the Knight Riders were 13/2 toward the finish of the second over.
The Barbados Royals kept on keeping the batting side under pressure during the run chase and remained disciplined in their bowling.
The boundaries dried up and there was a spell of thirty seven balls before the ball found the rope. The game was in the balance with the batting side requiring 19 from 12 and it seemed like an exciting finish was on the cards.
With the Trinbago Knight Riders currently on the ropes, Shakera Selman took three wickets in the penultimate over to tidy up the Knight Riders batters and guarantee a 15-run triumph making her side the champions of the tournament.
