Darren Sammy Lights up Stadium Named After Him, Zouks Score Historic CPL Win

West Indies' World T20-winning captain Darren Sammy celebrated a big day in style. On a night the Beausejour Stadium was named after him, the St Lucia Zouks captain smashed a match-winning half-century against the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots on Thursday.

Sammy blasted 59 (five sixes, two fours) from 35 balls as the Zouks reached 174-9 from their 20 overs. Faf du Plessis scored 48 but the Patriots fell short by 35 runs. Left-arm seamer Delorn Johnson was the pick of the Zouks bowlers. He finished with three wickets for 37.

Batting first, the Zouks lost Andre Fletcher in the second over, but they still got off to a very brisk start thanks to 25 runs from just 14 balls from Johnson Charles.

The wicket of Charles left the Zouks 39-2 at the start of the fifth over. The run rate was good but having lost both openers they were in danger of losing the momentum. That danger became a reality when Shane Watson was out for 15 off the bowling of Jonathan Carter.

Michael Hussey and David Miller attempted to do a rebuilding job, batting for five overs for 25 runs with the hope that they could catch up with the scoring rate later on. Hussey departed for 26, edging behind off Carter.

That brought man of the moment Sammy to the crease. He smashed a straight six off leg-spinner Samuel Badree and then took a couple of boundaries off Jonathan Carter's next over. Although he lost David Miller, bowled by a Krishmar Santokie cutter for 11 off 19 balls, Sammy carried on his fireworks.

Sammy carted Santokie for back-to-back sixes before raising his first half-century off the tournament off 32 balls, with a four down the ground. Sammy celebrated the landmark by kissing the turf and bowing to the crowd.