T20 WC: Hetmyer, King surpasses Gayle as WI post 182/5 in campaign opener against Scotland
Kolkata, February 7
West Indies batter Shimron Hetmyer made history, overtaking legendary Chris Gayle to register the fastest fifty by a West Indies batter in the history of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
During their campaign opener against WI, the Windies showcased a glimpse of their ferocious hitting, and Hetmyer was at the centre of it, with a brilliant 64 in 36 balls, with two fours and six towering sixes, striking at over 177.
He slammed his fifty in just 22 balls, going past Gayle, who had hit a 23-ball fifty against Australia during the 2009 edition of the tournament.
Also, Sherfane Rutherford displayed his death-overs prowess, scoring 26 in 13 balls, with four boundaries and a six and a strike rate of 200.00. This year in death overs (16-20), he has made 258 runs in T20Is in 126 balls at an average of 51.6, with five dismissals and a strike rate of 204.76, including 23 fours and 20 sixes.
Scotland won the toss and opted to bowl first.
A half-century from Brandon King (35 in 30 balls, with four boundaries and a six) and skipper Shai Hope (19) started off things for WI. After WI slid to 58/2, Hetmyer along with Rovman Powell (24 in 14 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes) struck a fine 81-run stand for the third wicket. Romario Shepherd (6*) and Matthew Forde (1*) were unbeaten when WI reached 182/5 in 20 overs.
Also, during his knock, Brandon also leapt past Gayle to become the third-highest run-getter in T20Is, with 1,916 runs in 79 matches and 77 innings at an average of 26.61 and a strike rate of 133.89, including 14 fifties and a best score of 85*. Gayle had scored 1,899 runs in 79 matches and 75 innings at an average of 27.92 and a strike rate of 137.50, including two centuries and 14 fifties.
Brad Currie (2/23) was the top bowler for Scotland.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Surpassing Gayle's record is no small feat. Hetmyer and King both doing it in one match shows the depth of their batting. Exciting times for Windies cricket.
Rutherford's death over stats are unbelievable. Strike rate of 204! That's the kind of finisher every team dreams of. WI will be tough to beat if they post 180+ regularly.
While the hitting was great, I feel the article focuses too much on individual records. Cricket is a team game. The 81-run partnership between Hetmyer and Powell was the real game-changer, yaar.
Brandon King becoming the 3rd highest run-getter for WI is impressive consistency. Gayle was a legend for his explosive power, but King's steady accumulation is valuable too. Different styles.
Scotland choosing to bowl first backfired big time! Against this Windies batting line-up on a good pitch, you need to put runs on the board and apply pressure. Poor decision. 🏏
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