Hetmyer, Hope power WI to huge win over India

By AFP

December 16, 2019

CHENNAI: Centuries from Shimron Hetmyer and Shai Hope powered West Indies to an eight-wicket win over India after chasing down a target of 288 in the first One-day International (ODI) on Sunday.

Hetmyer, who hit a career-best 139, and Hope, unbeaten on 102, put on a key 218-run second-wicket partnership as West Indies eased to victory with 13 balls to spare and lead the three-match series 1-0.

The left-handed Hetmyer completed his fifth ODI ton in 85 balls to take control with Hope, a right-handed wicketkeeper-batsman, after the early fall of Sunil Ambris for nine. Hetmyer, who hit his second hundred against India and survived a dropped chance on 106, smashed 11 fours and seven sixes in his 106-ball knock to pulverise the Indian bowlers.

Mohammed Shami finally broke through to get Hetmyer back in the pavilion but Hope stood firm to complete his eighth ODI hundred. He got company from Nicholas Pooran who hit the winning boundary to stay unbeaten 29.

Indian batsmen Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant made half-centuries to guide India to 287 for eight after they lost early wickets following West Indies’ decision to bowl first. Iyer, who made 70, and Pant, who hit 71, put on 114 for the fourth wicket after India were left struggling at 80 for three.

Pace spearhead Sheldon Cottrell struck twice in one over, including nabbing skipper Virat Kohli for four with a slower delivery that the star batsman inside edged on to his stumps. Iyer completed his third successive ODI fifty while Pant — a wicketkeeper-batsman who is often criticised for throwing away his wicket — raised his first during a 69-ball knock laced with seven fours and one six.

West Indies won toss

India

R Sharma c Pollard b Joseph 36

KL Rahul c Hetmyer b Cottrell 6

*V Kohli b Cottrell 4

S Iyer Pollard b Joseph 70

†R Pant c Hetmyer b Pollard 71

K Jadhav c Pollard b Paul 40

R Jadeja run out 21

S Dube c Holder b Paul 9

D Chahar not out 6

M Shami not out 0