Hit-man Hetmyer slams majestic ton as Jaguars surge into final

– Motie continues dream season

Shimron Hetmyer stroked a brilliant 113 to lead the Guyana Jaguars into the final of the CG Insurance Regional Super50 tournament, where they will oppose the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in tomorrow’s grand final match.
Hetmyer’s seventh List A century was backed up by a collective bowling effort from Gudakesh Motie and the Jaguars spinners in a 95-run win against the Windward Islands Volcanoes.

Earlier, Volcanoes skipper Sunil Ambris won the toss and asked the Jaguars to bat first. It proved to be a good decision when Jaguars were quickly reduced to 63-4. Chandrapaul Hemraj once again wasted a good start and was caught for a 29-ball 24 to bring the score to 34-1.
The solid Tevin Imlach was taken down the leg-side for 14, and Christopher Barnwell was trapped by a top yorker for 8. Then Skipper Leon Johnson was out for a golden duck, when he failed to negotiate a short, quick delivery from Ray Jordan.
The left-handed duo of Hetmyer and Reifer then took the game out of the Volcanoes’ control by stitching together a masterful alliance. The Berbician Hetmyer was dropped on 12 when he edged a Jordan snorter to wicket-keeper Emanuel Stewart, but he made the best of that opportunity as he played a more mature innings and decided to bat according to the situation.

He crafted a record-breaking 194-run fifth-wicket partnership with Reifer, in the process displaying great skill to reach his seventh List-A century in 75 balls. He slammed five sixes and 11 fours, and was eventually dismissed for 113 in 80 balls.
His partner Refier, playing his first match of the tournament, anchored the innings and played some delightful shots. He was eventually dismissed for a 104-ball 90 which was decorated with eight fours and three sixes.

With them eyeing up that 330-run mark at one stage, Volcanoes came back in the contest with some good bowling, as the final 10 overs of the Jaguars innings yielded 49 runs and took three wickets. Pacemen Ryan John and Jordan had three wickets each. John claimed 3-42 in his 10 overs, while the steaming Jordan, who showed good skill in bowling the yorker, had 3-45 in 10 overs.
In response, Volcanoes used a different ploy, opening with Kaveem Hodge and Alick Athanaze. The duo began with caution, adding 54 runs in 13.1 overs. Some good fielding from Imlach saw Hodge back in the pavilion for 28. Andre Fletcher never got going and was removed for a 27-ball eight by the returning Veerasammy Permaul.

The Jaguars spinners kept tightening the screws despite Athanze showing a touch of class in his 58, which included four boundaries and one six. Sunil Ambris showed a bit of fight, but was removed for 22. Kevin Stoute made 28, but the Volcanoes never erupted in their chase, eventually petering out for 210 made in 46.2 overs.
Motie ended with 4-53 in 10 overs, his third four-wicket haul this season, while Hemraj had 2-35. Jaguars will meet Red Force in the final being played tomorrow, Saturday February 27, from 13:30h at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.