Floodlight failure reduces CPL 2024 Eliminator to 5-over run-chase

The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024 Eliminator between Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) and Barbados Royals (BR) witnessed a bizarre floodlight failure at the tail end of the first innings on Monday, October 1. TKR batted first after winning the toss and raced to 168/3 in 19.1 overs with Nicholas Pooran unbeaten on 91 and Andre Russell on 20*.

However, a light tower went off before the next delivery could be bowled, causing a lengthy two-hour delay. The game looked likely to be called off, meaning TKR would have advanced to Qualifier 2.

Yet, in the nick of time, the light tower turned on and the run-chase was reduced to a five-over affair with BR requiring 60 to win.

Barbados reached the target in only 4.2 overs with the loss of a lone wicket as David Miller smashed an unbeaten 50 off 17 deliveries. The result meant four-time CPL champions TKR were eliminated from the tournament. BR, meanwhile, will face the loser of the Qualifier between Guyana Warriors and St.Lucia Kings.

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How the two captains reacted to the floodlight failure

TKR captain Kieron Pollard said the conversations with the umpires during the floodlight failure were around the cut-off time and the possibilities of playing without a light tower operational.

After the heartbreaking defeat, Pollard said at the post-match presentation:

"At that time, they were speaking the rules if the light doesn't come back on. Playing conditions and all of that, the time that is allotted for us to get a match. Just normal things that you speak about in unforeseen circumstances. (Any consideration as to play with one light tower not working) The conversation and the question was asked. But when you look at the conditions, it was dark and it was going to be dangerous for both teams."

"If someone was to get injured in that light or whatever the case is for the sake of cricket, then it would have been hard. At the end of the day, the groundstaff and the persons in charge did what they had to do in order to get a game of cricket in. Obviously with the rules, we got a game and here we are now. You prepare for any circumstance. If it had rained, it would have been the same. Once the light was on, we were always ready and willing to play within the rules and regulations of the game," he added.

Winning skipper Rovman Powell acknowledged that his side were lucky to be at the right end of the result after the interruption.

"It's a case of us getting lucky tonight to be honest. At one point, we thought we were out of the competition when the light started giving problems. Once the light came back on, it was our game to lose. 5 overs, 60 runs, not very difficult. It's a difficult one, it's unfortunate that lights went off. It would have been a beautiful game of cricket but I would say that those things happen," said Powell.

BR will take on Guyana Warriors or St. Lucia Kings in Qualifier 2 in Guyana on Friday, October 4, with the grand finale set to be played at the same venue on Sunday, October 6.