Forde's All-Round Show Helps St Lucia Kings Beat Falcons in Rain-Reduced Thriller

Matthew Forde produced a superb all-round performance as St Lucia Kings edged Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in a rain-affected thriller to move to the top of the CPL 2026 points table.

Batting first after being asked to do so, the Falcons struggled throughout their innings and managed only 98 for 9 in 19 overs before rain brought their innings to an early end.

The Kings' target was initially revised to 84 from 15 overs. However, another spell of rain after just eight balls of the chase reduced the contest further, leaving St Lucia Kings needing 52 runs from eight overs.

The Kings endured a dramatic collapse and were reduced to 21 for 6 after five overs. Joshua James and Shamar Springer caused most of the damage with two wickets apiece, putting the Falcons firmly in control.

Forde then sparked an extraordinary fightback. He smashed Springer for a four and a six, with two wides also helping the Kings' cause. His counter-attacking innings ended on the very next delivery, but the momentum had shifted.

Shadley van Schalkwyk and Joshua Bishop completed the job from there. Van Schalkwyk remained unbeaten on 8 from just three balls, while Bishop scored an unbeaten 12 off 10 deliveries as the Kings reached their revised target with two balls to spare, despite losing seven wickets.

Forde's impact had begun earlier with the ball. After the Kings opted to field, the all-rounder struck twice in the second over, dismissing Evin Lewis and Tim Robinson off consecutive deliveries to put himself on a hat-trick.

Rahkeem Cornwall briefly revived the Falcons with an aggressive 26, but Forde returned at the end of the seventh over to remove him and finish a highly influential spell.

Joshua Bishop and Roston Chase then continued to put the Falcons under pressure. Chase was particularly economical, returning outstanding figures of 4-0-7-2.

The Falcons struggled to build meaningful partnerships throughout their innings, but Alzarri Joseph provided some late resistance with an unbeaten 16 from No. 10. His contribution lifted Antigua and Barbuda Falcons to 98 for 9, a total that initially appeared modest but became competitive after the rain interruptions.

In the end, however, the Kings held their nerve in a tense eight-over chase. Forde's contributions with both bat and ball proved decisive as St Lucia Kings secured the win and moved to the summit of the CPL 2026 standings.