Hetmyer relishing number 3 role

Guyana and West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer is back to where it all began: batting at number three and scoring runs consistently. Hetmyer scored a rapid 64 from 36 balls, an innings laced with six maximums and two fours in the T20 World Cup opener against Scotland in India. He earned a Player of the Match award on the back of his batting exploits, but his brilliance in the field added the finishing touch in West Indies’ win over Scotland.
Speaking at the post-match briefing, Hetmyer said he has a preference for batting at number three. He also congratulated his countryman, Romario Shepherd, for his hat-trick and five-wicket haul.

“It’s fun (to bat at three), it’s something that I used to do in the beginning, but I guess playing more T20s, finishing is also fun for me. But if I have to choose, I’ll stay up top. I guess it’s just about mindset (on batting at three), really. Batting at three, the ball just moves a little bit more, and it comes on to you a little bit faster than when you’re batting at five and six. So, it’s just for you to get into position as early as possible and just execute, basically,” Hetmyer said.
When asked what gave him more pleasure: the batting or the catch, he replied “honestly, I’d say the catch to be fair. I’ve been doing quite some work on my fielding for a while, and I haven’t really had an opportunity to take any catches, especially in the last series that we played. So, I’m happy to be able to contribute to that win. (Was it his best-ever catch?) I don’t think so. But it’s up there.”
The left-handed batsman had a bumpy road to India, as he missed the photo shoot and arrived late. “I guess everything happens for a reason, like my wife said. I’m not really complaining. Thanks to the Almighty for giving me the strength and helping me to get here. From there, I guess when I got here, it was just to focus and put that behind and make sure that when I come out here today, I focus on the game ahead and on my batting, making sure that I give the bowlers either a good chance or a good score or chase it down.”
Speaking on his countryman Shepherd, Hetmyer said, “That was phenomenal. I actually thought he was going to get this (the Player of the Match award), to be fair. I told Carlos that just now. You don’t often see a guy get five and a hat-trick as well. But I’m excited for him. He’s really been working hard on his bowling, and I’m really, really proud of him and happy. I think we could be more than competitive, really.”
Sharing his sentiments on the team’s chances in India at the T20 World Cup, he disclosed, “ We have the potential to actually go as far as the finals, but it’s just for us to take it one game at a time and not think too far ahead, and to make sure that when we’re on the field, we execute our plans as best as we possibly can.”
West Indies will play England on Wednesday, February 11, in Mumbai. First ball is at 09:30h local time.