Superb Hetmyer, Nerveless Holder Level Series For Windies

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – Rookie batting sensation Shimron Hetmyer slammed a spectacular hundred, but it was a brilliant last over from inspirational captain Jason Holder which earned West Indies a tense three-run win in the day/night second One-Day International here late Wednesday night.
With the Tigers requiring eight from the final over in pursuit of 272 to clinch a series victory, fast bowler Holder held his nerve and conceded a mere four runs, ensuring West Indies leveled the series at 1-1 and turned Saturday’s final match at Warner Park into the series decider.
Wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim had earlier top-scored with 68, leading a trio of batsmen with half-centuries as Shakib-al-Hasan struck 56 and Tamim Iqbal, 54, to put Bangladesh on course for a possible victory.
And that result remained likely with Mushfiqur at the crease, but once they picked out Keemo Paul at deep mid-wicket with a full toss off the first ball of the final over, West Indies were back in the contest.
The dashing Hetmyer was at his very best earlier, slamming 125 from 93 balls as West Indies, sent in, rallied to 271 all out with three balls remaining in the innings.
Playing before his home crowd at the Guyana National Stadium, the left-hander dazzled with three fours and seven sixes, to record his second ODI hundred and become the youngest West Indies batsman to score one on home soil.
Talismanic opener, Chris Gayle, got another start with 29 while Shai Hope chipped in with 25 but for the second straight game the Windies innings stalled, leaving them dawdling at 102 for four in the 24th over.
However, they were revived by Hetmyer who added 103 for the fifth wicket with Rovman Powell (44), before West Indies lost their way again late.
Evin Lewis perished early for 12 in the seventh over with the score on 29, lbw to captain and seamer Mashrafe Mortaza and Gayle followed in similar fashion in the 14th over, missing a sweep at off-spinner Mehidy Hasan at 55 for two.
Hope tapped a simple catch to cover off Shakib’s left-arm spin in the 19th over and when Jason Mohammed (12) tried to cut one too close to him and edged seamer Rubel Hossain (3-62) behind, the Windies were losing their way quickly.
Hetmyer, coming off a half-century in Sunday’s opener, quickly took charge of the innings in a manner belying his inexperience.