Seifert century powers Kings to commanding victory

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC)P:

Tim Seifert announced his arrival at the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League with a sublime unbeaten century as the St Lucia Kings secured back-to-back victories with a convincing 36-run triumph over the Trinbago Knight Riders at the Queen’s Park Oval on Wednesday.

The New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman produced the tournament’s first century, a breathtaking 105 not out, as the Kings posted a mammoth 211 for four, the highest total of the competition thus far.

It marked Seifert’s second CPL hundred for the franchise, coming against the very side he represented for three seasons.

After being inserted by Nicholas Pooran, the Kings exploded from the opening delivery. Seifert and Kamil Pooran carved 64 runs from the PowerPlay in swashbuckling fashion, laced with 11 fours and not a single six, before the innings gathered irresistible momentum.

Seifert, displaying the imperious form that has become his trademark, worked the Knight Riders’ bowling attack with remarkable ease, finding gaps all around the ground.

He built crucial partnerships with Pooran (25), John Campbell (27), and Charith Asalanka (33), ensuring the Knight Riders never gained a foothold.

The home side’s bowling struggles were epitomised by debutant Abdul-Raheem Toppin and Dominic Drakes, who both conceded in excess of 16 runs per over.

The Kings found their six-hitting mojo pretty late in the innings as Asalanka provided some late fireworks, launching Drakes for three consecutive maximums in the 17th over as the Kings powered past 200.

Seifert’s moment of glory arrived shortly after, as he became the first batter in CPL 2026 to remove his helmet and raise his bat to acknowledge a capacity crowd still coming to terms with the brilliance on display.

The Knight Riders’ reply began with intent as Colin Munro and Sunil Narine raced to 56 without loss inside the PowerPlay, raising hopes of a remarkable chase.

But the game pivoted dramatically in the eighth over when Roston Chase produced a match-winning spell, claiming three wickets in four balls. Narine (25), Matthew Breetzke (0), and Nicholas Pooran (0) all departed in quick succession as the Kings seized control.

Chase, who finished with outstanding figures of three for 24, later combined with Joshua Bishop to remove the dangerous Munro for 48, as Daren Sammy’s men sensed victory.

Pollard entered with the required rate climbing but offered fleeting hope with a characteristically muscular cameo. However, tournament-leading wicket-taker Matthew Forde produced a stunning caught-and-bowled to dismiss the veteran for 65, extinguishing any remaining Knight Riders hopes.

Forde and Keon Gaston closed out the innings as the Kings cantered to victory, their second consecutive win of the campaign.

The Kings now sit firmly in the ascendancy as the CPL 2026 season gathers pace, while the Knight Riders must regroup quickly to arrest their recent slide.