Belligerent Hetmyer propels Windies to 322 against India

Guwahati (Assam) [India], Oct 21, (ANI): On the back of some fireworks produced by 21-year-old West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer, West Indies bounced back to post a mammoth total of 322 in the opening ODI of five-match series against India at Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati in Assam on Sunday.
Coming fresh from a humiliating 2-0 loss in the Test series, the Caribbean team, who are known for their brut hitting, showcased their trait, till the final over to take the score par 300-run mark.
On a prodigious pitch, skipper Virat Kohli opted to field after winning the toss.
West Indies skipper Jason holder was exuding confidence after fielding a rather young side with two debutants - Chandrapaul Hemraj, who opened the batting and Oshane Thomas, who will credit the fast bowling.
The Caribbean side started off in their signature style dealing in boundaries. The debutant even sent the ball twice to the ropes on the last two deliveries of Shami's second over. Getting a little confidence, Hemraj tried to pull one but played the ball late as the stumps were knocked over. He departed for just nine runs. His compatriot Keiron Powell was skimming runs at the other end and quietly reached his half-century. He had to take the long walk back to the stadium soon on 51.
Marlon Samuels followed the suit for a second-ball duck and West Indies were reeling at 86 for three in the 16th over. Shai Hope (32) got a good start, but couldn't convert it into big innings and lost wicket. Hope was undone when a snick off Shami was gathered by Mahendra Singh Dhoni at the back.
A swashbuckling Hetmyer continued the onslaught and smashed six sixes and six fours, under pressure. Kieran hit straight to long-on, where Shikhar Dhawan was at the boundary when the scorecard read 246 for five. Hetmyer mistimed a sweep off Jadeja which was comfortably castled by Rishabh Pant.
Spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Yuzvendra Chahal took the charge tried to assert their dominance. Chahal came back to trap Ashley Nurse immediately for just two runs. It was left to skipper Jason Holder, who began the job well, hitting five fours in his 38, but fell to an attempted paddle sweep in the 44th over.
Kemar Roach and Devendra Bishoo made sure they batted through the innings, and along the way dispatched the loose balls to add 44 off 40 for the ninth wicket. The duo took the score past 320, usually considered the bare minimum in day-night ODIs on an Indian pitch.
At the time of filing of this report, India began their innings and have reached 97 for the loss of one wicket. (ANI)