Simmons was named Man of the Match for his sensational knock of 97

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

The Guyana Amazon Warriors’ opening pair of Lendl Simmons and Martin Guptill both hammered half-centuries to annihilate the St Lucia Zouks by eight wickets in St Kitts.

However, St Lucia’s opening duo of Johnson Charles and Andre Fletcher deserve some credit as they both smashed half-centuries as well.

Guyana captain Denesh Ramdin would have been regretting his decision to bowl first after Charles and Fletcher amassed a 139-run partnership, during which both batsmen brought up their half-centuries, before Charles was caught by Guptill at deep midwicket off the bowling of Navin Stewart.

Charles’ fantastic knock of 62 came off 46 balls and included three boundaries and three sixes.

Fletcher went on to score 78 off 49 deliveries, which included five boundaries and five sixes, before he was caught by Simmons at deep backward square leg off the bowling of Stewart. 

Pakistan all-rounder Sohail Tanvir only made six runs before he was caught by Veerasammy Permaul at short third man off the bowling of Sunil Narine. 

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen failed to have an impact with the bat as he was the victim of a stunning one-handed catch by Guptill at wide long-on off the bowling of Stewart for seven runs.

Mervin Mathew fared no better as he was run out by Christopher Barnwell for six runs. 

St Lucia skipper Darren Sammy walloped a quickfire 22, which included three sixes, before he was clean bowled by Krishmar Santokie. 

Santokie struck again the very next ball when Tonito Willett was caught by Mohammad Hafeez at cover for a golden duck. 

St Lucia eventually finished on 189/7 off their 20 overs. 

Stewart the was pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Santokie snapped up two and Narine chipped in with one. 

Chasing 190 to win, Guyana got off to a perfect start as Simmons and Guptill put together a 154-run partnership, during which both batsmen registered their half-centuries, before Guptill was caught by Pietersen at long-on off the bowling of Tino Best. 

Guptill’s impressive knock of 66 came off 47 balls and included six boundaries and two sixes. 

Guptill struck six boundaries and two sixes during his entertaining innings of 66

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Simmons ended up making 97 off 60 deliveries, which included five boundaries and an incredible eight sixes, before he was run out by Fletcher. 

Barnwell and Ramdin mopped up the rest of the runs with no problems to lead Guyana to a convincing eight-wicket win. 

Best was the only bowler to take a wicket. 

Simmons was named Man of the Match for his sparkling innings of 97.