Caribbean Premier League: Johnson Charles Stars in St Lucia Zouks Win vs Guyana

A season record 151-run stand between Johnson Charles (94 not out) and Shane Watson (57 not out) helped St Lucia Zouks thrash Guyana Amazon Warriors by nine wickets in a Caribbean Premier League match in Gros Islet, St Lucia on Sunday.

St Lucia Zouks' third straight win at home was their fourth in seven matches. It leaves the Zouks with a chance to move into a qualification spot for the first time this season.

With another match at home before the Zouks take on the Jamaica Tallawahs in Florida they are looking good for their first ever appearance in the Caribbean Premier League knockouts.

Despite the huge loss, Guyana Amazon Warriors, currently No. 2 with five wins in eight matches, are well placed to secure a berth in the top four.

Chasing 160 for a win, St Lucia Zouks made a poor start when Andre Fletcher was bowled CPL's leading wicket-taker Sohail Tanvir for just three runs. From there, it was all about Watson and Charles as the Zouks won with 23 balls to spare.

None of the Amazon Warriors bowlers could find a way to keep the Zouks scoring rate in check. Captain Rayad Emrit could have dismissed Charles in the 11th over when a leading edge fell just short of the fielder. Then Jason Mohammad dropped Charles when he was on 76.

Chris Lynn continued his excellent form, smashing his his way to 86 from 45 balls for the Warriors (159/5 in 20 overs). Lynn is now the leading run-getter of CPL.

Lynn combined with Dwayne Smith to put on a 100 runs for the second wicket as the Zouks lost their way under the pressure of that partnership. Things began to improve for the home team when man of the hour Daren Sammy dismissed Smith for 56 (50 balls). Jerome Taylor took 2 for 26 for Zouks.