Hetmyer carries Warriors past Patriots

Shimron Hetmyer and the Guyana Amazon Warriors produced a spectacular batting performance to beat the St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots and remain unbeaten in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) at Warner Park.

Hetmyer contributed a boundary-laden 91, as the Warriors posted the second highest ever score in the CPL of 266 for seven in their 20 overs, just one run short of the 267 for two scored by the Trinbago Knight Riders in 2019.

Hetmyer blasted 11 sixes in his 39-ball knock and his partnership of 116 with opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who made 69, was the foundation for the Warriors’ huge total.

After both Kevin Sinclair (17) and Shai Hope (12) fell cheaply leaving the Warriors 53-2 after six overs, Hetmyer joined Gurbaz at the crease to dismantle the Patriots’ bowlers in the next seven overs.

No bowler was spared from Hetmyer’s carnage, and medium pacer Odean Smith missed an opportunity to dismiss Hetmyer when he was just 18, but he could not hold on to the ball after it was driven straight back at him.

A costly mistake indeed, as Hetymer brought up his 50 off 23 balls.

Gurbaz took some time but he eventually showed impeccable form, he faced 37 balls and belted six sixes and four fours. He was eventually bowled by fast bowler Anrich Nortje and then Azam Khan was dismissed by Mohsin for two as the Warriors slumped to 172 for four.

But Hetmyer partnered with Keemo Paul, and they belted 44 runs from just three overs before Paul was eventually run out for 38.

Hetmyer was dismissed at the end of the 19th over, from Smith where Mikyle Louis took a comfortable catch.

The Patriots made a valiant effort in their run chase, especially captain Andre Fletcher, who made 81, but they were bowled out for 226 in 18 overs.

The Patriots were kept in the game by Fletcher and Kyle Mayers after Evin Lewis was dismissed for just three in the beginning of the chase.

They added 69 in five overs before Mayers got rid of Keemo Paul for 28 runs, to leave Patriots on 73-2.

Sherfane Rutherford (38) joined his captain in a 64-run partnership in only three overs but was taken by medium pacer Raymon Reifer in the ninth over.

The Patriots lost their way after and regularly lost wickets slipping to their eventual total of 226 all out.

Both Imran Tahir and Gudakesh Motie grabbed three wickets apiece, while Dwaine Pretorius got two wickets for the Warriors