by Eulana Weekes
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): The Guyana Amazon Warriors won the toss and elected to bat first in the September 04 Caribbean Premier League match against St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots at Warner Park.
However, the game started late due to a heavy downpour of rain at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start time. Play began at about 7:10 p.m.
The fall of the first wicket for the Amazon Warriors was Kevin Sinclair (17). He attempted to go big but was caught in the cover area by Shurfane Rutherford.
The Warriors lost its second wicket, Shai Hope, in the 7th over. He managed to make 12 runs. Hope was bowled by Verasammy Permaul and caught by Mikyle Louis at long-on.
After ten overs, the Guyana Amazon Warriors were at 104 runs with the loss of two wickets.
Rahmanulla Gurbaz, the Warriors’ opening batsman, appeared unstoppable as he consistently knocked the ball for fours and sixes. Shimron Hetmyer, after the wicket of Shai Hope, was able to build a partnership with Gurbaz. However, the Patriots were desperate for another wicket and soon got Gurbaz out on 69 from 37 balls in the 14th over.
Wickets continued to fall for the Amazon Warriors after Gurbaz’s wicket, including that of Hetmyer in the 20th over. He was caught at long-on by Mikyle Louis for 91 off 39 balls. Hetmyer is the first player to hit ten or more sixes without any fours.
The Guyana Amazon Warriors scored its highest total in CPL history (266-7), including a record-breaking 23 boundaries and 15 fours.
In their innings, the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots were immediately put under pressure, losing opening batsman Evin Lewis on 3 in the first over.
However, with Skipper Andre Fletcher at the crease, there was hope for the
Patriots. He delivered his fastest fifty during his knock of 81.
Moreover, the St.Kitts and Nevis Patriots were way ahead of the required run rate, scoring 92 runs in the powerplay compared to Guyana’s 53, but the Patriots lost their way. Wickets began to fall rapidly, and there was no opportunity to build strong partnerships.
The St. Kitts-Nevis Patriots were bowled out in the 18th over on 226. The Guyana Amazon Warriors won by 40 runs.
