Twitter Reactions: Shimron Hetmyer, Odean Smith shine as Guyana Amazon Warriors beat Trinbago Knight Riders in low-scoring thriller

Riding on a brilliant all-round show from Odean Smith, Guyana Amazon Warriors have thrashed Trinbago Knight Riders by nine runs in the second game of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2021. It was the opening game for both sides this season and they left no stones unturned to emerge victoriously. Chasing 143 for victory, the Kieron Pollard-led side was in the hunt for the major part of the contest but couldn’t cross the line.

Earlier in the game, Trinbago Knight Riders won the toss and elected to bowl at Warner Park in Basseterre. The decision proved to be brilliant as Warriors opener Chandrapaul Hemraj (13) and Brandon King (10) couldn’t do much. One-down batter Odean Smith did make an impressive start but got after scoring 24 off 15 balls. Just when the Knight Riders looked firmly in command, Shimron Hetmyer put some spice in the contest.

Despite losing partners at regular intervals, the southpaw held one end and single-handed carried forward Warriors’ innings. He eventually advanced to a well-paced half-century (54) as the Guyana-based side posted 142-7. For the defending champions, Akeal Hosein and Sunil Narine were the pick of the bowlers, scalping two wickets apiece.

The target didn’t seem potent with the four-time champions possessing a daunting batting line-up. However, Warriors bowlers were up for the challenge. Opener Lendl Simmons (5) was dismissed in the second over and the contest seemed spiced up. The likes of Colin Munro, Tim Seifert, and Sunil Narine also got starts but none of them could play a knock of substance.

Akeal Hosein kept Trinbago Knight Riders in the hunt

Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Denesh Ramdin also played some fine shots but he also got dismissed after scoring 28 runs. At one stage, the reigning winners, who didn’t lose a single game last season, were reduced to 90/7 and their defeat seemed a mere formality. However, left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein put his hands up and kept his side in the hunt.

Coming to bat at number nine, the southpaw scored 22 off 12 balls but his efforts weren’t just enough to see the Knight Riders through. As a result, the Kieron Pollard-led side was restricted for 133/9. While Romario Shepherd took three wickets for the Warriors, Imran Tahir and Odean Smith got two scalps. Odean was also named the Player-of-the-Match for his all-round effort.

Meanwhile, here’s how Twitterati reacted to Guyana Amazon Warriors’ win: