Matthew Forde's All-Round Brilliance Helps Kings Beat Falcons in Rain-Hit Thriller

Matthew Forde delivered a superb all-round performance as St Lucia Kings defeated Antigua and Barbuda Falcons by three wickets via the DLS method in a rain-reduced CPL 2026 thriller in Gros Islet.

The Kings chased down a revised target of 52 in eight overs, reaching 54 for 7 with just two balls remaining. The victory moved St Lucia Kings to the top of the CPL points table.

The Falcons had earlier managed 98 for 9 in 19 overs before rain forced an early end to their innings. Rahkeem Cornwall top-scored with 26, while Jewel Jangoo contributed 23. Forde was the standout bowler for the Kings, finishing with 4 for 29, while Roston Chase and Joshua Bishop claimed two wickets each.

Falcons struggle before rain interruption

After being asked to bat, Antigua and Barbuda Falcons struggled to build momentum on a difficult surface. Their innings never gained sustained momentum, with wickets falling regularly.

Cornwall provided a brief counterattack with a quick 26, while Jangoo made 23. Alzarri Joseph offered valuable late resistance, remaining unbeaten on 16 from No. 10 to help the Falcons reach 98 for 9.

Forde made an immediate impact with the ball. In his second over, he dismissed Evin Lewis and Tim Robinson with consecutive deliveries to put himself on a hat-trick.

Cornwall briefly revived the Falcons' innings, but Forde returned in the seventh over to remove him and complete an excellent spell.

Chase was particularly economical, conceding only seven runs in his four overs while taking two wickets. Bishop also picked up two wickets as the Kings kept the Falcons below three figures.

Kings collapse in dramatic chase

The Kings were initially set a revised target of 84 from 15 overs after rain ended the Falcons' innings. However, another shower eight balls into the chase reduced the contest to an eight-over game, with the Kings needing 52 runs.

The chase quickly turned into a tense affair as the Kings slumped to 21 for 6 after five overs.

Joshua James and Shamar Springer caused major damage for the Falcons, taking two wickets each. With the Kings in deep trouble, Forde launched a counterattack that dramatically changed the momentum.

Forde struck Springer for a four and a six, with two wides also adding to the Kings' total. He was dismissed off the following delivery after scoring 11, but his brief assault kept the Kings in the contest.

From 33 for 7, Joshua Bishop and Shadley van Schalkwyk held their nerve to complete the chase. Bishop remained unbeaten on 12 from 10 balls, while van Schalkwyk smashed an unbeaten 8 from just three deliveries.

The Kings reached 54 for 7 with two balls remaining, securing a three-wicket victory under the DLS method.

Forde's four wickets and crucial 11 with the bat made him the decisive figure in a match repeatedly disrupted by rain, while the Kings' composure in the final stages lifted them to the top of the CPL 2026 standings.