CPL 2025: Guyana Amazon Warriors Sink Patriots in Dominant Run Chase, McDermott Stars on Debut
The Guyana Amazon Warriors made a flying start to their Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League 2025 campaign by defeating St Kitts & Nevis Patriots by five wickets in the second match of the tournament. Chasing 154 at Warner Park, the defending champions sealed victory with 16 balls to spare as debutant Ben McDermott lit up the evening with a blistering 75 off 39 deliveries, while Shai Hope added a classy half-century to ensure a smooth chase.
Earlier in the day, with weather hovering around, Warriors captain Imran Tahir opted to bowl first after winning the toss. The Patriots, coming off a rare home win in the season opener, posted 153 for 8 from their 20 overs, largely built around opener Andre Fletcher’s fluent 60 from 41 balls. Despite the promising platform, the middle order failed to capitalize, and the Warriors’ bowlers kept the total within reach.
The reply from Guyana was nothing short of emphatic. Mc Dermott, making his CPL debut, attacked from the start, striking ten boundaries and four sixes in a dazzling innings that left the Patriots bowlers with no answers. A turning point arrived in the fifth over when McDermott, on 32, was given a reprieve after Naseem Shah spilled a return catch off his first ball. Having already punished the bowling with 19 runs in the previous over, the Australian made full use of the lifeline, racing past his maiden CPL fifty.
Alongside him, Hope played the anchor role with elegance, finishing unbeaten as the pair stitched together a 114-run partnership that completely deflated the Patriots’ challenge. By the time McDermott departed, the Warriors were already cruising, and Hope ensured there were no late hiccups in wrapping up the chase.
The result handed the Warriors their fifth consecutive win over the Patriots, while also pushing them to the top of the CPL 2025 points table with a healthy net run rate. For the Patriots, the defeat was a sobering reminder after the high of their opening-night win, extending their patchy home record at Warner Park.
McDermott was named Player of the Match for his explosive knock, describing it as a “dream debut.” Captain Imran Tahir hailed his side’s intent and discipline, calling it the perfect start to the title defence. The six-time finalists and 2023 champions have once again set the tone early in the season, and on the evidence of this performance, look well placed for another deep run in the tournament.
