Shimron Hetmyer once again showcased his power-hitting abilities in the ongoing Caribbean Premier League, proving why he is one of the most dangerous batters in T20 cricket. Known for his aggressive batting, Hetmyer had struggled with form before this tournament, but he bounced back in style.
In a recent match, Guyana Amazon Warriors batted first, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz giving them a strong start, smashing 69 from just 37 balls. However, early dismissals of Kevin Sinclair and Shai Hope brought Hetmyer to the crease. From the moment he arrived, Hetmyer was in attack mode. He did not waste any time, hitting the ball cleanly from the first delivery. Remarkably, he struck 11 sixes without hitting a single four, underlining his immense power. His outstanding knock of 91 came from just 39 balls. Keemo Paul added a quick 38 from 14 balls, helping Guyana post a massive total of 266.
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots fought back valiantly, with Andre Fletcher scoring a blistering 81 from 33 balls. Sherfane Rutherford also contributed with a quickfire 34 off 12 balls. Despite their efforts, they fell short. Imran Tahir and Gudakesh Motie, both taking three wickets each, ensured Guyana's win, restricting St Kitts to 226, and securing a 40-run victory. Hetmyer's explosive innings earned him the Player of the Match award, and he set a unique record—becoming the first player in T20 history to hit more than 10 sixes in an innings without scoring a four..
Hetmyer has been a standout player since leading the West Indies to victory in the Under-19 World Cup in 2015-16. He has proven himself in various T20 leagues, including the Indian T20 League, where he plays for the Rajasthan Royals. In the 2018 CPL, he struck a memorable century off 49 balls for Guyana Amazon Warriors against Jamaica Tallawahs, leading his team to a commanding 71-run win. Hetmyer's ability isn't limited to T20 cricket; he made his mark in ODIs in 2018 with two centuries in three matches against Bangladesh and India.
In the inaugural season of the ILT20, Hetmyer showed consistency, scoring 257 runs in 10 games at an average of 42.83. He played a crucial role in the final, where his quick 25 from 13 balls helped Gulf Giants lift the trophy. This CPL performance is a reminder of Hetmyer's incredible talent, especially in high-pressure situations.