The evening of September 24th was nothing short of electrifying at the CPL 2024, where explosive cricket was on full display. Johnson Charles, a 35-year-old batsman for the St Lucia Kings, showcased his remarkable talent by smashing multiple sixes, becoming the leading six-hitter of the season. His performance not only featured a barrage of sixes but also set a new partnership record with his captain, Faf du Plessis, making a significant contribution to his team’s victory against the Trinbago Knight Riders.
St Lucia Kings Set the Stage
After winning the toss, the Trinbago Knight Riders made the bold decision to send the St Lucia Kings in to bat first. Little did they know that this decision would backfire spectacularly. The Kings opened with Faf du Plessis and Johnson Charles, who quickly settled in. Runs flowed freely as both batsmen found their rhythm, crafting a story of a record-breaking partnership.
Historic Partnership between Du Plessis and Charles
Faf du Plessis and Johnson Charles formed a formidable opening pair, breaking the previous St Lucia Kings record of 139 runs for the opening wicket. They combined forces remarkably, racking up an impressive 145 runs before Johnson Charles’s innings concluded, leaving a lasting mark on CPL history.
The Explosive 40 Balls
In a phenomenal display of power-hitting, Johnson Charles unleashed his talent, scoring an explosive 89 runs off just 40 balls. His innings included a staggering 8 sixes and 7 fours, resulting in an astronomical strike rate of 222.50. With this performance, he secured his position as the leading six-hitter of CPL 2024, amassing 25 sixes, surpassing Quinton de Kock’s tally of 24 sixes.
Du Plessis’s Steady Contribution
In addition to Charles’s fiery innings, Faf du Plessis also made a significant impact with a solid half-century, scoring 59 runs off 43 deliveries. Tim Seifert added contributions of 30 runs, helping the St Lucia Kings reach a formidable total of 218 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
Trinbago Knight Riders Fall Short
Faced with a daunting target of 219 runs, the Trinbago Knight Riders struggled to maintain momentum. Despite a lineup featuring stars like Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, and Nicholas Pooran, they fell short by a substantial 80 runs. The Knight Riders were bowled out for just 138 runs in 17.5 overs, unable to complete their full quota of overs. Noor Ahmed stood out as the leading bowler for St Lucia, claiming 3 wickets. In recognition of his extraordinary innings, Johnson Charles was named Player of the Match, a testament to his critical role in the game.
