Time and again, the men from the Caribbean islands have shown how successful they can be in the shortest format of the game.
In the ongoing Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Odean Smith gave another fine example of the same by smashing 5 sixes in a single over.
Odean Smith and Keemo Paul partnership: The two lower-order batters hit a combined of two fours and eight sixes between them.
At the half of the innings, they were down to 87 for 5 by the 14th over. The Warriors were headed for a sub-par total when Hope and Gudakesh Motie exited in the 16th over, leaving the side on 98 for 7.
However, a 26-ball 72-run eighth-wicket partnership between Smith and Paul powered the hosts to their highest innings total of the season – 178/8 in 20 overs.
They first played out Mohammad Amir’s third over in the 17th for just four runs before launching into Migael Pretorius in the 18th.
Smith smashed five sixes in the 31-run over. Paul responded in the next over with two sixes and two fours in the 24-run over.
Rovman Powell decided to take matters into his own hands and brought himself on in the final over.
He bowled four wides and one no-ball in the 19-run over where Smith hit one six, got out and the next man in – Junior Sinclair – finished the innings with a six.
Even the great Ian Bishop hailed Smith for his fireworks. He tweeted: “That was some ball striking by Odean Smith and Keemo Paul tonight for the @GYAmazonWarrior. A little glimpse into what so many of us here in the Caribbean hope to see more of in international cricket.”
That was some ball striking by Odean Smith and Keemo Paul tonight for the @GYAmazonWarrior . A little glimpse into what so many of us here in the Caribbean hope to see more of in international cricket. @CPL
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) September 22, 2022
This late surge got the Warriors up to 178 for 8, which proved to be the difference in the end.
While Smith’s six sixes came at a strike rate of 262.50, Paul hit two fours and sixes each at a strike rate of 200 to put on some show.
Following the game, Odean Smith commented on his performance, saying: “I went out there and I knew what I had to do. The wicket was very very good. Just stood my ground, kept my base and hit the ball. We were trying to get 160, very good that we got to 168. It came down really close.
We didn’t get the start we wanted, I knew I hand to stand up and hit the ball. Lot of tension, I started the over and the first ball went for a six. I told the boys to remain calm. I have bowled overs like this in the past, haven’t gone my way but I have learnt from them.
Keep believing and keep supporting us. Hopefully with the fans, we can win the remaining three games. That was a very good century (from Brandon King). The wicket was really good.”
Here’s the video of the over:
5 SIXES IN THE OVER! Watch the 5th six make its way into the stands as this evening’s @fun88eng Magic Moment!#CPL22 #CricketPlayedLouder #BiggestPartyInSport #GAWvJT #Fun88 pic.twitter.com/t2u7mcoyd1
— CPL T20 (@CPL) September 22, 2022
With Smith being part of a 15-member West Indian squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2022, Caribbean fans would be hoping for him to contribute in a similar manner in Australia next month.