Shimron Hetmyer unleashed a stunning power-hitting display, smashing 39 off just 10 balls, including five sixes in an over off Fabian Allen, as Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) romped to a four-wicket win over Hobart Hurricanes (HH) in their final league game ahead of the GSL final.
Chasing a modest 126, GAW were struggling at 43 for 3 after nine overs when Hetmyer launched a counterattack that transformed the game in just minutes. His six-laden assault (including another maximum off Usama Mir) turned the momentum decisively. Though he was eventually dismissed, Hetmyer’s fireworks meant the Warriors cruised home with over three overs to spare.
Earlier, GAW's bowlers set up the win. After being asked to bowl first, Moeen Ali struck twice in the second over to remove Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Jake Doran, reducing HH to 14 for 2. While Ben McDermott briefly counterattacked with 21 off nine balls, including three boundaries in a single over, he was bowled by Dwaine Pretorius.
The game turned again when Gudakesh Motie was introduced in the seventh over. The left-arm spinner ripped through the middle order with figures of 3 for 9, removing Nikhil Chaudhary and Macalister Wright in the same over. Alongside Imran Tahir (2 wickets), GAW closed out the innings strongly, dismissing HH for just 125.
In reply, GAW lost early wickets. Billy Stanlake bowled Johnson Charles in the first over and Mohammad Nabi trapped Rahmanullah Gurbaz lbw soon after. With runs hard to come by and Evin Lewis falling to Usama Mir, GAW crawled to 43 for 3 after nine overs.
Despite Moeen Ali struggling early (8 off 17 at one point), he provided calm at one end and later finished unbeaten on 30 off 36 balls. After Hetmyer’s blitz, Sherfane Rutherford fell cheaply, but Motie added a valuable 19 off 13 balls, ensuring GAW wrapped up a confidence-boosting win ahead of the final.