Hetmyer 71, Paul 4/19 steer Warriors to first CPL win

A quick-fire knock of 71 runs from 44 balls courtesy Shimron Hetmyer and dazzling bowling figures of four for 19 from Keemo Paul propelled Guyana Amazon Warriors to a comfortable three-wicket win over St Kitts and Nevis Patriots when action continued in match four of the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 tournament on Wednesday.

At the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, in Tarouba, inspiring performances from both Guyanese players saw the Warriors bounce back after losing this year’s opening fixture to the Trinbago Knight Riders.

Batting first, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots was restricted to a low score of 127 for eight after their 20-over duration. Opening batsman Evin Lewis top scored for the Rayad Emrit-led squad as he smashed two sixes and four fours in his knock of 30 from 18 balls.

Australian cricketer Ben Dunk chipped in with 29 runs, skipper Emrit scored 17 but veteran CPL player and wicketkeeper/batsman Denesh Ramdin could only tally nine runs.

Paul, however, wreaked havoc throughout the Patriots batting line-up as he claimed the scalps of Emrit, Ramdin, Dominic Drakes (eight) and New Zealander Nicholas Kelly (five) for just 19 runs.

South African spinner Imran Tahir also had a valuable contribution of two wickets for 18 runs.

In reply, the Warriors showed early intent as opener Brandon King smacked Sheldon Cottrell for two fours in the first over. Cottrell would taste sweet revenge in his very next over as he had Kind out caught Jahmar Hamilton (12/1).

Hetmyer then joined Chandrapaul Hemraj at the crease they pair carefully constructed a 47-run partnership before the latter was sent packing, run out by Drakes (59/2). Hetmyer though, took a liking to Jon-Russ Jagessar’s spin spanking him for two fours through point and extra cover respectively.

The Guyanese batsman then obliterated pacer Emrit for a consecutive four, six and four in the final three balls of his first over. New Zealand’s Ross Taylor (nine) made little contribution with the bat while wicketkeeper Nicholas Pooran went for a first ball duck courtesy countryman Emrit (96/4).

The former TTEC pacer then shattered the stumps of Sherfane Rutherford (10) before giving Paul a taste of his own medicine, out leg-before without scoring (120/6) after 16 overs.

With the Amazon Warriors’ target within sight and Hetmyer showing class at the crease, he continued to blitz by unearthing Drakes’ low full toss over the bowler’s head for four more.

At 124/6, Hetmyer (71) was then caught by Dunk off Drakes after tallying eight fours and three sixes. In came Romario Shepherd, who carried the Warriors over the line by half-volleying Drakes down the ground to get to a victorious 131/7 after 17 overs.

Summarised Scores –

GUYANA AMAZON WARRIORS 131/7 - (Shimron Hetmyer 71, Chadrapaul Hemraj 19, Bradon King 10, Sherfane Rutherford 10; Rayad Emrit 3/31, Sheldon Cottrell 1/24, Dominic Drakes 1/28) defeated ST KITTS & NEVIS PATRIOTS 127/8 (Evin Lewis 30, Ben Dunk 29, Rayad Emrit 17, Chris Lynn 16; Keemo Paul 4/19, Imran Tahir 2/18, Chris Green 1/24)