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• Sixes rain down as Amazon Warriors defeat Patriots by 40 runs at Basseterre

  Defending champions Guyana Amazon Warriors made it two wins in two games with a comfortable 40-run win over St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in match seven of the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) at Basseterre.

  Electing to bat first in rainy conditions could have been seen as a risk but Imran Tahir’s Warriors had no such qualms as they set about posting a sizeable score of 266-7 off their 20 overs. A rope had been dragged around the wet outfield before play began but the showery conditions failed to dampen the Warrior’s run rate.

  In fact, Shimron Hetmyer took the ground conditions out of the equation all together by blitzing 11 sixes to all parts of the stadium to rack up 91 runs off just 39 balls. An incredible display of hitting in an innings that didn’t include a single four. It proved to be a decisive knock from Hetmyer who was later awarded Player of the Match.

  The Warriors’ total was the second highest in CPL history, just one run behind the score made by the Trinbago Knight Riders against the Jamaica Tallawahs in 2019. The match also had a record for sixes in a CPL match, with 42 Republic Bank Maximums flying out of Warner Park.

  

  In response, Patriots captain Andre Fletcher led by example at the top of the order by compiling 81 off 33 balls but when he was well caught by Dwaine Pretorious off the skiddy spin of Gudakesh Motie in the 13th over the Patriots chase lost its impetus and wickets fell steadily throughout.

  A late delay for another rain shower couldn’t save Fletcher’s side as after a short break Pretorious served up the coup de grace by bouncing out Mikyle Louis to seal the win with 12 balls to spare. and condemn the Patriots to their third straight defeat.

  Spin proved to be a decisive factor in the high scoring match, with Warriors captain Tahir bowling a pivotal double wicket maiden in the 10th over, outfoxing both Josh Clarkson and Odean Smith in a matter of balls. He ended with three wickets as did Motie with his cunning slow left arm.

  The Warriors look a strong outfit with bat and ball as they set about trying to go back-to-back in this year’s CPL while the Patriots will be looking to bounce back against the Barbados Royals on Friday.

• West Indies icon inspires Falcons, TKR players: "They are the future," says the Master Blaster

  Members of the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons and the Trinbago Knight Riders received words of inspiration from the great Sir Vivian Richards on Wednesday morning.

  The former West Indies captain and batting legend spoke to both camps on the eve of their Republic Bank CPL clash — due to be played on Thursday night at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

  The events were organized by Philip Spooner, the Falcons Director of Media and Phil Simmons, the TKR Head Coach.

  

  “I’m a part of the Falcons family, so I came here to see my team and show my support for the boys as they head into the last home game. I’m really impressed with the talent I’m seeing and just wanted let them know that Sir Viv is still backing them despite the tough start,” Sir Viv said.

  “I spent some time with the boys at TKR as well. It’s also about helping to develop all West Indies talent meet them and talk with them. I want what’s best for West Indies and these youngsters I met with today are very talented. They are the future.”

• Rashford should have left Man Utd to reignite England career, says Shearer

  Alan Shearer believes Marcus Rashford should have left Manchester United if he wanted to reignite his England career.

  Rashford enjoyed a stellar start to life under Erik ten Hag, netting 30 goals in all competitions during the Dutchman's first season in 2022-23.

  However, he struggled to build on that momentum last campaign, scoring just eight goals and registering six assists in 43 appearances across all competitions, resulting in him being left out of Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad.

  So far this season, he has played in all four of United's matches but has failed to get a goal involvement so far, having had no shots and creating just three chances, meaning he has been unable to force himself into Lee Carsley's first Three Lions squad.

  And former England forward Shearer believes a change in club may have been the spark Rashford needed to get back to his best form.

  "In his current form, I don't see Marcus Rashford reviving his England career," Shearer told Betfair.

  "I personally don't know his mentality, or what his approach is in terms of training, but there's only one way back, which is to train and have the right attitude.

  "But looking from the outside, for me, he should have left Man United to reignite his career because he's gone very static for whatever reason, and it hasn't worked for him for a while now.

  "Only Marcus can answer how much he wants to get back to scoring 30 goals a season."