Hetmyer has been named player of the match in the last three games. ©MLC
After the Seattle Orcas' fifth consecutive loss in the MLC, Shimron Hetmyer isolated himself in the dressing room for a good 15 minutes. Visibly deflated, his soft dismissal had prematurely ended a promising cameo in a chasing cause that would have arrested the Orcas' slide. The Orcas weren't just in disarray on the field but behind the scenes as well. Within 24 hours, their head coach was axed, and Heinrich Klaasen stepped down from captaincy midway through the tournament.
For Hetmyer, it was just compounding of one disappointment after the other. He was coming off a lean IPL campaign where he averaged just 11 with a strike rate of 134. But between that night of dejection and now, the script has been switched dramatically. The Orcas, once all but buried, have wrestled the momentum back with three consecutive wins owing to Hetmyer's sheer brilliance . His scores of 97*, 64*, and 78* have powered the resurgence that included a sensational final-ball six that clinched their first victory of the season. The 26-year-old Guyanese's heroics have now given the Orcas a clear shot at the playoffs, lifting them from the brink of a league stage exit for the second consecutive year.
It was truly an innings that reignited the Orcas' campaign. You could see that desperation to end the losing streak run through Hetmyer. In their last-ball win against MI New York, when a wide ball went uncalled, he sprang up in frustration for an extended time. That strong reaction may well have aggravated the hamstring niggle he's been nursing all tournament but it did nothing to dampen his resolve. He wasn't just hobbling through his own runs, he was selflessly running for his partners too. And according to Rishi Bhardwaj, assistant coach of the Orcas, that image of a limping Hetmyer is exactly the kind of grit a winless side needs to claw its way out of a rut.
"That shows the character of the man being selfless in putting their bodies over the line for the sake of that elusive win. He had probably played the innings of the tournament but there was no sign of any grandstanding in the dressing room. He kept on going with the usual fun he has with players in the dressing room. Not just his runs but the circumstances under which he has gotten the runs has lifted the spirits of the entire unit" said Bhardwaj to Cricbuzz.
Hetmyer's gallant display through injury has proven infectious. Against the LA Knight Riders, Kyle Mayers battled a badly swollen thumb and batted through excruciating pain out of unrelenting intent. With batting still left in the dugout, it was a selfless act, driven by tenacity. The desire to bag the win and empower Hetmyer, who was on a roll once again, outweighed the risk of being haunted later by a potential harakiri.
"Hetmyer's energy has been rubbing off on everyone in the squad. Kyle went out of his way to go and play those 12 deliveries for the team's sake. He didn't have to but he took ownership to help Hetmyer see off the game. Cricket is a team game and here was Kyle showing it why it truly is. Also, really gratifying the way Aaron Jones stepped up to the occasion in Kyle's absence. He was slotted at number 7 but to come in at number 3 at a short notice and hammer 70 in a tense chase speaks volumes of his ability. We told him he has happy memories of Dallas and he is more than capable to dazzle the Dallas crowd again with his strokemaking" added Bhardwaj.
As Hetmyer walked off after scripting that miraculous win, Hemang Badani, who was given a quick SOS call to join the teetering Orcas in coaching capacity bent low, arms stretched out in theatrical fashion, a 'hail the king' gesture that moved the otherwise stone faced Badani. Hetmyer may not be fully fit and may still be hobbling his way through the tournament, but that hamstring is sturdy enough to carrying the Orcas within striking distance of the playoffs.
© Cricbuzz
