Hope backs Hetmyer before India clash
West Indies captain Shai Hope has defended Shimron Hetmyer’s role ahead of the T20 World Cup Super 8 clashes against South Africa and India, insisting the in-form batter must bat higher after being “wasted” down the order.
Speaking on the eve of the crucial fixtures, Hope said the team is reassessing Hetmyer’s position to maximize his impact. The left-hander has shown strong touch in recent outings but often arrived late with limited deliveries. “A player of his quality needs time at the crease,” Hope said. “We’re looking at ways to give him more opportunity.”
A team analyst added, “Hetmyer changes games when he faces 25-30 balls.”
With semifinal qualification at stake, West Indies are expected to tweak their batting order to unlock more firepower against two of the tournament favorites.