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During the 12th Match of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024, tensions flared as Saint Lucia Kings‘ fast bowler Alzarri Joseph engaged in a heated exchange with the umpire over a controversial wide call. The incident took place in the third over of the second innings, as the Kings defended their total of 187 against the Trinbago Knight Riders.
Alzarri Joseph’s intense confrontation with the umpire
The situation unfolded when Joseph bowled a fiery bouncer to Trinbago’s Shaker Parris. The delivery flew over the batter’s head, and with wicketkeeper Johnson Charles unable to collect the ball, it raced away to the boundary, adding five extra runs to Trinbago’s total—four for the boundary and one for the wide. Joseph was visibly unhappy with the wide call, feeling the delivery was well within legal limits, and confronted the umpire in frustration.
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The 27-year-old Antiguan pacer was seen furiously arguing with the official, clearly dissatisfied with the decision. Meanwhile, the already tense moment was compounded when Charles, who had been struggling with a calf injury, remained on the ground in pain after his unsuccessful attempt to stop the ball. He had to be escorted off the field, with Tim Seifert stepping in as the replacement keeper.
Also READ: Here is why Pakistan star Fakhar Zaman left CPL 2024 midway
The Kieron Pollard show
This sequence of events added further pressure on the Kings, who were already under the pump in a high-stakes game. To make matters worse, Joseph’s frustration only grew as the match progressed, with the wide call and the injury to his teammate seemingly affecting the team’s momentum.
Despite the competitive total of 187/6 set by Saint Lucia Kings in the first innings, the Trinbago Knight Riders, led by the explosive Kieron Pollard, made light work of the chase. Pollard played a captain’s knock, smashing a stunning 52 off just 19 balls, including seven towering sixes at an incredible strike rate of 273.68. His blistering innings was crucial in helping the Knight Riders chase down the target of 188, sealing victory with four wickets in hand and one ball to spare, finishing at 189/6 in 19.1 overs.
The defeat marked a tough day for Saint Lucia Kings, who not only lost the match but also saw their key bowler embroiled in controversy and their wicketkeeper sidelined with injury. Joseph’s frustration with the wide decision, combined with Charles’ injury, seemed to disrupt the Kings’ rhythm, and the Trinbago Knight Riders capitalized on these setbacks.
Pollard’s all-around performance earned him the Player of the Match award, with his half-century and a crucial wicket in the first innings proving decisive. His ability to deal almost exclusively in sixes turned the game in Trinbago’s favor, showcasing once again why he remains one of the most dangerous players in the format.
