CPL: Seifert ton lifts defending champions over Falcons

GROS ISLET, St Lucia (CMC):

Tim Seifert played one of the most destructive innings in Caribbean Premier League (CPL) history to lead the St Lucia Kings to a demoralising six-wicket win over the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons yesterday.

Batting at the top of the order, Seifert, who was named Player of the Match, smashed a boundary laden, unbeaten 125 off just 53 balls, as the Kings finished on 206 for four in 17.5 overs, easily overhauling the Falcons’ formidable total of 204-4 made in 20 overs at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium.

While it was Seifert’s first century in the CPL, he reached three figures in 40 balls, equalling Andre Russell’s record for the fastest century in CPL history.

Seifert’s unbeaten knock was also the second highest individual score in the competition’s history, and helped the Kings pull off the fifth highest run chase of all-time in the CPL.

He began his innings in spectacular fashion, clobbering 21 runs from his first six balls and, together with Johnson Charles, put on 38 runs in two overs.

Charles was caught behind while attempting a pull shot for 17 to give the Falcons their first wicket.

They should have had the wicket of Seifert shortly after when he was on 30, but none of the three fielders who converged on his top edged sweep off Shakib Al Hasan got there in time.

It proved to be a costly miss, with Seifert bringing up his half century in just 18 deliveries in Al Hasan’s next over, which he belted for 24 runs.

It took the Kings to 92 for one after six overs, the third highest score in CPL history at the end of the power play.

The Kings lost the wickets of Akeem Auguste and Roston Chase for 19 and 11, respectively, but Seifert continued to power on.

He moved to 99 with two massive sixes off Usama Mir and gathered a single off the next delivery to move to three figures as the Kings strolled to 152 for three after 13 overs.

Tim David struck some hefty blows in his 23 off 16 balls, but Seifert ended the match in sensational fashion, driving pacer Jayden Seales for two boundaries before hitting him over midwicket for the last of his nine sixes, while also counting 10 fours.

Seifert’s innings completely overshadowed a fine batting performance by the Falcons after they were sent in to bat.

Al Hasan topscored with 61 off 26 balls, which included five sixes and five fours, and opener Amir Jangoo hit 56 off 43 deliveries with six fours and two sixes.

Fabian Allen also chipped in with an unbeaten 38 from 17 balls, while Jewel Andrew scored 25.

Tabraiz Shamsi was the Kings’ best bowler with 3-30.