Shimron Hetmyer once again turned saviour for Seattle, producing a stunning unbeaten 64 off just 26 balls to guide his side to a thrilling victory over Los Angeles in the ongoing T20 league in the United States.
For the second time in as many days, Hetmyer was the difference, finishing the job in style with a six on the penultimate ball to seal the win at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.
Coming in at No. 5 with Seattle still needing 77 from 47 balls, the left-hander unleashed a powerful counterattack just as Los Angeles looked to tighten their grip on the game. Hetmyer’s knock, laced with four fours and six sixes, came at a staggering strike rate of 246.15 and earned him the Player of the Match award.
Only 24 hours earlier, Hetmyer – who plays for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, had delivered a similarly dramatic finish against New York, battling cramps to hit the winning runs off the final delivery. There were no visible signs of discomfort this time, although the West Indian cricketer did hint at a minor concern with his leg.
“Tired. Very, very tired,” Hetmyer said after the match. “Thankful we could get across the line. Hopefully we can continue doing this. Once we have a decent enough start, it makes it easier for the guys lower down, and I can just go out and bat with a clear mind. Really happy with where my game is at.”
Hetmyer’s explosive form has made him the leading force for Seattle in the US T20 league, topping both the run charts and six-hitting tally for his team.
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Just a day prior, Shimron Hetmyer had powered Seattle to the highest successful run chase in the history of the US T20 league, smashing an unbeaten 97 off 40 balls against New York.
His Rajasthan Royals team-mate Nandre Burger also made headlines in the tournament, registering career-best T20 figures of 3/10 to help Seattle beat Texas in Oakland last week.
