Amazon Warriors start CPL home games in commanding fashion

PROVIDENCE, Guyana (CMC):

THE GUYANA Amazon Warriors kicked off their home leg of CPL 2024 with a dominant 30-run win over the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots at the Guyana National Stadium on Friday.

Despite posting a modest total of 137, the Warriors’ bowlers rose to the occasion, stifling the Patriots’ chase on a spin-friendly surface.

After being put into bat, the Warriors found themselves in early trouble. Openers Tim Robinson and Kevin Sinclair fell for ducks, both dismissed by Ashmead Nedd, who was in lethal form with figures of 4-25.

Kyle Mayers then dealt another blow, removing captain Shai Hope for just seven, leaving the home side in a precarious position at 28-3.

Amid the top-order collapse, Shimron Hetmyer played a spectacular knock. Unfazed by the pressure, Hetmyer smashed 63 off just 33 balls, dispatching the Patriots’ bowlers easily with four fours and five sixes.

His aggressive stroke play brought much-needed momentum, though his dismissal by Tabraiz Shamsi halted the surge. Hetmyer departed with the score at 83-5, having scored 75 per cent of the Warriors’ runs.

Romario Shepherd chipped in with some crucial lower-order runs, an unbeaten 34 off 22 balls, pushing the total to 137.

Despite the gettable target, the Providence pitch, known for aiding spinners, made the chase tricky for the Patriots.

The Warriors’ bowlers were on the penny in the powerplay, conceding just 27 runs. Moeen Ali was brilliant, finishing with figures of 2-9 while extracting significant turn and grip from the surface with his off-breaks.

Opener Evin Lewis fought a lone battle for the Patriots, scoring 49 off 46 balls, but the left-hander received little support from his teammates as wickets tumbled around him.

Lewis eventually fell to Dwaine Pretorius at 96-6 in the 16th over and, soon after, pacer Shamar Joseph wrapped up the tail with an impressive 3-9, sealing a memorable victory for the Warriors.