Shimron Hetmyer blasted a record-equalling century as the Guyana Amazon Warriors defeated the Trinbago Knight Riders by nine runs via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League at Queen’s Park Oval last night.
Playing his 100th CPL match, Hetmyer struck an unbeaten 111 from just 43 balls to propel the Warriors to 185 for five from 16 overs after rain shortened the contest.
The explosive left-hander reached his century from 40 deliveries, equalling the record for the fastest hundred in CPL history. His innings helped the Warriors spoil the Independence Day celebrations in Trinidad and Tobago while maintaining their perfect start to the tournament.
The Warriors had earlier been placed under pressure by Akeal Hosein and debutant Lahiru Kumara, who removed Glenn Phillips and Shai Hope with only 19 runs on the board. Rain then interrupted play with the visitors struggling at 22 for two.
Following the lengthy delay, Hetmyer transformed the innings. After completing his half-century, he launched a brutal assault on the Knight Riders’ seamers, taking 30 runs from Kumara’s 13th over.
Romario Shepherd also joined the attack as the pair plundered 85 runs from the final four overs. Their late hitting carried the Warriors to 185 for five and left TKR with an adjusted target of 182.
The Knight Riders began their chase positively before Phillips produced a spectacular one-handed boundary catch to dismiss Sunil Narine. Fellow opener Colin Munro departed shortly afterwards, falling to Mohammad Nabi.
Nicholas Pooran attempted to revive the chase with a rapid 43, which included four sixes, but Nabi struck again when the left-hander found Quentin Sampson in the deep.
Jyd Goolie, Justin Greaves and Hosein then fell cheaply as the required scoring rate continued to rise.
Alex Hales kept TKR’s hopes alive with a powerful 55, highlighted by seven sixes, before Shamar Joseph shattered his stumps. With 24 runs required from the final over, Shepherd held his nerve to complete a comfortable defence and secure another victory for the unbeaten Warriors.
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