GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Aug. 10.2018 – It is not often that an innings from Chris Gayle - ‘the Universe Boss’ - is overshadowed; however, that is what transpired last evening at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
A scintillating batting performance from 21-year-old Shimron Hetmyer set-up a comprehensive six-wicket victory for the Guyana Amazon Warriors over the Chris Gayle-led St. Kitts-Nevis Patriots.
Hetmyer, the West Indies middle order batsman, blasted 79-runs from 45 balls to give the home side victory with 3.3 overs to spare.
After winning the toss, the Warriors captain Shoaib Malik inserted the visitors who found the slow nature of the pitch tough and were only able to muster up a below-par l46 for 5, off their allotted 20 overs.
Keemo Paul was the pick of the Warriors bowlers, ending with figures of 2 for 16 from his quota of 4 overs. Sohail Tanvir, Imran Tahir, and Chris Green each took one wicket each.
In reply, the Warriors lost three quick wickets before Hetmyer stroked boundaries to all corners of the ground, including clobbering West Indian team Alzarri Joseph for a flat-batted six.
That brought the sea of yellow and green of the fans to life as their side never looked in danger of losing.
The Universe Boss had to settle for a consolatory half-century with a measured knock of 86 runs from 65 balls.
Hetmyer told reporters that it was one of his best innings in T20 cricket, noting that he has not played many of those matches so far in his short career.
Earlier in the evening, Gayle showed his improved fitness by batting for almost 19-overs for his 86 runs, anchoring the Patriots’ innings.
Opening the batting with the out of sorts Evan Lewis, Gayle took the responsibility of playing long innings. He and Tom Cooper repaired the early setback with a 61-run partnership off 47 balls.
Gayle clubbed 5x6’s as wickets fell around him; only he, Ben Cutting (15) and Cooper (15) were able to get into double figures.
The win puts Guyana second on the CPL table behind the Trinbago Knight Riders.
