LEICESTER, England, CMC – West Indies head coach Stuart Law has labelled Shimron Hetmyer as one for the future, following the exciting left-hander’s better than run-a-ball unbeaten hundred against Leicestershire here yesterday.
In just his third innings of the tour, the 20-year-old smashed 128 not out off 120 balls with 98 of those runs coming in boundaries – 17 fours and five sixes. Law said he was pleased with the high-class display of batting from the youngest member of the squad as his side rattled up 377 for seven off 88 overs on the opening day at Grace Road.
“It was really nice to sit here today and watch the guys bat. They played really well,” Law said.
“I was pleased for Hetty (Hetmyer). He’s one hell of a talent and he’s very much one of the players for the future of West Indies cricket.” He added: “He came on this tour and we felt he would benefit from the exposure and as you could see today, he has something in him and he can really play. He’s confident in everything that he does and is also a very good fielder.
“He’s a tremendous young man and today he built a good innings by first getting himself in and then dominating the bowling with some class shots.”
Hetmyer arrived at number nine and shared an unbroken eighth-wicket stand of 186 with wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich, who made 108 not out before the declaration came late in the day.
Guyanese Hetmyer, who played three Tests against Pakistan earlier this year, said he had been focussed on making the most of the opportunity against Leicestershire.
“I have been working hard in the nets and I have been putting in a lot of work. I just wanted to make full use of this knock and I was determined to do something special,” Hetmyer said.
“I just tried to get a good base, to reach my half-century and push on from there. I have learnt a lot on this tour and I want to put that in place as I grow in my career.”
With the three-Test series level 1-1, the former West Indies Under-19 World Cup-winning captain said the team was eagerly looking forward to the final and decisive match at Lord’s, starting on Thursday.
“This is my first time in England and the conditions are different to what you face get back home in the Caribbean,” he noted.
“We’re playing well, we’re confident and we just want to get build on the win in Headingley and look to win again at Lord’s.”
