West Indies U19 Captain, Shimron Hetmyer said winning the International Cricket Council (ICC) U19 World Cup with his fellow Guyanese teammates was an emotional experience.
After coming close in 2014, the Hetmyer- led side brought back the spoils to the Caribbean after some 12 years and Stabroek Sport caught up with the 19 year-old Berbician yesterday who briefly touched on his World Cup journey along with his short-term goals.
“To be a Captain of the first ever West Indies Under 19 team that won the World Cup is tremendous,” explained Hetmyer.
He added that savoring the epic moment with his friends; Vice-Captain Keemo Paul, who was outstanding as an all-rounder along with wicket-keeper and fellow opener Tevin Imlach was something that a young player could only dream of.
“It was kind of emotional for me to be honest, to know that most if not all the guys there grew up playing cricket with each other from Under 15 to Under 19 and then winning it with them, it almost brought tears to my eyes,” he explained.
When asked how the spoils of being a World Cup-winning Guyanese playing for the West Indies has affected his career as well as his personal life, the pugnacious opener said: “Well it taught me to be a bit more careful and to think more about my game. It also helped me to be a bit more careful in the decisions and choices I make in life now.”
Prior to his World Cup journey, the left-hander played a total of nine matches for the Guyana senior team, three List A matches and six First Class but with only one half-century, an even 50 in the 50 over format and a highest of 47 in the 4-dayers, jostling the likes of Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Assad Fudadin and Rajendra Chandrika for spots in the Guyana top-order.
He said that one of his goals is to regain a permanent spot in the National team.
Hetmyer also endured some rigorous training with the senior guys in the Guyana Jaguars academy, performing well in a number of matches and simulations which added to his talent and skill. The West Indies youth skipper then went on to flex his muscles during the World Cup, stroking a dazzling 136 against Scotland before following up with 60
versus hosts Bangladesh and 52 against Pakistan.
Concluding his interview with this newspaper, the former Guyana Amazon Warriors players said he was keen on getting back into the Guyana senior team and cementing a permanent spot for his country.
“I’m trying to get back into the Guyana senior team and be a permanent player for in all the formats,” he declared.
