Hetmyer spoils Knight Riders’ Independence Day party

The Guyana Amazon Warriors remained unbeaten after spoiling the Independence Day celebrations at Queen’s Park Oval, defeating the Trinbago Knight Riders by nine runs via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) on Monday night.

Shimron Hetmyer equalled the CPL record for the fastest century, smashing an unbeaten 111 off 43 deliveries after rain reduced the match to 16 overs per side.

The Knight Riders showed why they are one of the tournament’s strongest PowerPlay bowling units, putting the Warriors immediately on the back foot. Akeal Hosein and debutant Lahiru Kumara dismissed Glenn Phillips and Shai Hope with just 19 runs on the board.

Before the PowerPlay was completed, rain interrupted play and the players were forced from the field for what proved to be a lengthy delay, with the Warriors on 22 for two.

When play resumed, the shortened contest appeared to ignite the Warriors’ batting, particularly Hetmyer on his 100th CPL appearance.

After taking a few deliveries to settle, Hetmyer found his rhythm and quickly brought up his half-century. The Knight Riders have relied on excellent bowling from their experienced spinners this season, but their seamers have struggled, and the contrast between the two was again evident.

With the end of the innings approaching, Hetmyer shifted into top gear and hammered the unfortunate Kumara for 30 runs in the 13th over. He also found an ideal partner in Romario Shepherd, who struck the ball cleanly as the pair combined for 85 runs in the final four overs.

It was already a memorable occasion for Hetmyer, but he made it even more special by equalling the fastest century in CPL history, reaching the landmark from just 40 deliveries.

The Warriors finished on 185 for five, leaving TKR with an adjusted DLS target of 182.

The Knight Riders looked intent on maintaining the required pace and made a positive start before Sunil Narine fell to a spectacular one-handed catch at the boundary by Glenn Phillips, a grab that appeared to surprise even the catcher himself.

Narine and Colin Munro had formed a formidable opening partnership in recent matches, but that was not the case on this occasion as Munro fell shortly afterwards to Mohammad Nabi.

Nicholas Pooran provided much-needed impetus and suddenly put the Warriors on the back foot. He struck seven boundaries, including four sixes, before Nabi claimed the prized wicket as Pooran found Quentin Sampson in the field for 43.

From there, the required run rate climbed sharply and the Knight Riders were left with little option but to attack.

Wickets fell at regular intervals, with Jyd Goolie, Justin Greaves, and Akeal Hosein all departing relatively cheaply.

Alex Hales remained the Knight Riders’ main hope. He blasted seven sixes in a fine knock of 55 before Shamar Joseph rattled his stumps.

Shepherd, tasked with defending 24 runs from the final over, did so comfortably as the Warriors maintained their perfect record.