CPL 2024 : Shimron Hetmyer, Rahmanullah Gurbaz Win Consective Matches For Guyana Warriors In A Six Hitting Run Fest

The Patriots lost Evin Lewis in the first over. Although Mayers hit a couple of maximums, Patriots were watchful early on until Fletcher broke the shackles in the fifth over. Fletcher smashed Sinclair for four sixes and two fours in a massive 34-run over which consisted of two no-balls. Paul dismissed Mayers immediately after, but Rutherford went on the offensive against the bowler with three fours and a six. The Patriots had raced away to 94 for 2 in the PowerPlay.

The batters scored three more sixes in Imran Tahir’s first over, going down the ground and mid-wicket. Fletcher brought up his 50 in 18 balls with a six off Paul. The dangerous Rutherford holed out to long-on after a quickfire 34. With the asking rate below 12 and the Patriots going strong, Tahir bowled a double-wicket maiden, prizing Josh Clarkson and Odean.

Fletcher kept the momentum going with a four and a six off Gudakesh Motie. However, the batter was caught down the ground off Motie as the Patriots had slipped to 174 for 6. Tahir scalped John for two but Mohsin took apart the leg spinner with two sixes and a four. Mohsin fell in the next over, further denting the Patriots hopes. Mikyle Louis smashed Pretorius for two fours and a six before he was caught at extra cover, as the Warriors sealed the win.

The Patriots gave a spirited fight to the Warriors’ 266 with skipper Andre Fletcher leading from the front with a 33-ball 81. However, he didn’t get any support from the other end and the Patriots fell short by 40 runs.

Presentations and Road Ahead

Imran Tahir the winning skipper said :  I can expect anything from the team I have and that is the belief I have. We wanted to bowl first but then I looked at the pitch and thought of batting first to put them under pressure. Hetmyer played an unbelievable knock.

(His advice to the bowlers at the half-way stage) Nothing you can do if the guys are playing good shots. I told them that if they chase it down, it will be a brilliant effort (from them). But as a bowling group, we have to look for wickets.

They were well ahead of the game but we still came back. For me, it was more about belief, rather than going through the motions and seeing if they can do it (the chase) or not. We were very lucky to have such a good total on the board but defending is also an art, and glad we were able to do the job. As a leader, everyone looks at you and what you are going to do next.

I didn’t want to give another over to Junior Sinclair, he did very well in the powerplay. I want to bowl the difficult overs and pleased I could do the job for the team. And then I always kept Motie’s overs, and he has been bowling amazingly well.

Andre Fletcher the loosing skipper said : It is tough, very tough. Playing at our home ground, knowing the conditions, knowing there is a wind factor, bowling like this is unacceptable. It looks like school cricket. I might be coming down hard on the bowlers but we need to find a way to execute.

We may not get it right at times but you cannot set fields when you are leaking runs on both sides. In team discussions, we talk about making batters hit against the breeze but we could not manage it (tonight).

Their guys capitalized on our bad deliveries. The wicket is good, batting first and batting second. What plays a big role is how the bowlers execute. It is all about who executes well on the day. We, as a batting unit, are comfortable chasing 210-220. I remember talking to our guys when Nortje was brought back and took a wicket, that we were comfortable chasing 210-220.

(On the chase) We were going well at a point in time but we kind of lost it when Sherfane got out. I was thinking they had both Sinclair’s to come on, which is my match-up and Motie, who was Sherfane’s match-up. If Sherfane had taken it (the risk) one ball later, maybe it could have been a different game.

Even when I got out, I was thinking if I had taken it (the risk) one ball later, it could have been a (successful) chase. As captain, I cannot drop my head and encourage the guys, both on and off the field. We are playing for the franchise, for the owners, for the fans and we have no choice but to come back and win (the last two games at home) for them.

Shimron Hetmyer Player of the Match for 91 runs said : I think it was an innings of two halves. In the beginning, when me and Gurbaz were batting, we were going good. Then I had to pull it back a little bit after Gurbaz and Azam got out. A little bit of tiredness came in slightly (as well). (On not hitting any fours and if it was a plan) It was not planned. I was just trying to play the ball on its merit, rather than trying to do something different.

(Difference this season) Just a little bit clearer this year and hungrier. Have been working on it in the nets, whether it be my batting or with my running between the wickets. (On his advice to the bowlers) I actually told them to try and take them wide as much as possible. It was tough to play cut shots on the whole and that is what I tried to tell them.

Another high-scoring contest at Warner Park, however, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots have lost once again despite putting up a brave fight. They failed to defend a 200-odd total in the previous game and today they have failed to chase down a daunting total of 266. Andre Fletcher and Sherfane Rutherford gave Guyana Amazon Warriors a scare for a brief period, however, Tahir made his experience count by picking up three wickets, while Motie dismissed the danger man – Fletcher and sealed the fate of the game.

Earlier in the day, Gurbaz and  Shimron Hetmyer played spectacular knocks to power the Warriors to the highest total of the season and once they had had posted such a massive total, it was just a matter of time. The Guyana bowlers, especially their spinners kept taking wickets at regular wickets despite Fletcher’s fighting knock and Guyana eventually won by 40 runs. There were a few rain halts during the course of the game, but we got to witness a full game of T20 cricket.