Amazon vs Kings, 26th Match at Providence, CPL 2023, Sep 14 2023 - Match Result

10:41pm Right. That will be that from us for tonight. The CPL takes a day's break tomorrow but will return on Saturday, packed with action as the Jamaica Tallawahs take on the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the morning fixture. Do join us for that too but until next time, this is goodbye from me (Shashwat) and Binoy George. Take care!

Sikandar Raza, St Lucia Kings captain: (On making the playoffs) Feeling a little relieved. Don't want to be in a situation where your last match is do-or-die. Always thought if we could contain our extras, we would have a better chance. (On Joseph) He is just bringing heat after heat. No substitute for pace. He adjusted his lengths really well. Couple of bad balls don't define your spell. We always ask him to bowl the critical overs of the game. He has been brilliant with the new ball but today we trusted him with the old ball. Wicket of Hope was crucial. We have been trying to get him (Rajapaksa) in but it has been difficult because of all the others that were playing well. Today, we had him (in the eleven) and it was a beautiful innings to watch. (On if bowling first is a no-brainer) Even when we were bowling, the last eight overs were tough. The dew was playing a huge factor. But if I was in the position of Guyana, having qualified in the top two, I would have batted first too because I would have wanted my batters and bowlers to know what they would be up against possibly (in the playoffs).

Imran Tahir, Guyana Amazon Warriors captain: (What went wrong) We wanted to be in a situation like that, to bat first and bowl when dew is around. Nothing to be worried about. I always feel we need to improve and that is how we should play every sport. I think we did not bowl well according to our plans. Very happy. We achieved what we wanted to achieve. Wanted to do something different. (On the batting) The pitch, even yesterday, played a bit up-and-down. It was the same today. Earlier, it was drier so the spinners were getting help. That is the challenge we have to face as a batter and a bowler. That is something we wanted to do our homework on and glad that it is out of the way. We now need to come up with a better plan. He (Ayub) has a bit of a groin issue but he should be fine. He needed a little bit of rest.

The Kings, by the way, have also now qualified for the playoffs, meaning that the Barbados Royals and the Jamaica Tallawahs have to fight for the one spot that remains. The Royals are two points ahead but have played a game more than the Tallawahs. So, this could go down to the wire.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa, unsurprisingly, is the Player of the Match for his 49-ball 86. Here is what he has to say: (His reaction to Sri Lanka's win over Pakistan) We made a match out of nowhere, always good to give spectators their money's worth. Really happy we qualified (for the final). (Preparation for this game) Before the match, we spoke about playing a knock to remember and just go at it. (On the vibe in the camp) It has always been nice. The team has been quite united. We knew we needed two points out of the two games and happy that we got it before the last game. (On Kings' last match clashing with the Asia Cup final) The timings are different but hopefully I can keep up (with the scores in the Asia Cup final).

10:24pm The Kings did it at a canter really, and much of that was down to Rajapaksa, who returned to the eleven and played an astounding innings. When he was at the crease, the ball flew to all parts and he took the game on, eventually finishing with a 49-ball 86. Munro appeared a lot scratchier throughout his essay but clung on, stitching together a vital 132-run partnership with Rajapaksa - a stand that took the game beyond the Warriors.

Speaking of the Warriors, they took the bold decision of batting first, knowing that conditions to bat will be tougher and that bowling will get harder later in the evening. That can certainly not be faulted, considering they have already secured a top-two finish. What they will be disappointed with is how they fielded. Pretorius dropped the most high-profile chance (when Rajapaksa was on 38), while there were several other bits of sloppy fielding too. The good thing is that the Warriors, because of how this season has otherwise gone, can brush this aside as an anomaly and come back refreshed on Saturday.

Just four needed now. Surely this is the last over of the game?

Around the wicket

Motie is back. Kings need 17 off 24. Over the wicket to Williams

Raza in at 5

29 needed off 30, still less than run-a-ball but the Kings have one new batter at the crease. Can the Warriors nip out Munro?

Williams joins Munro