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Shimron Hetmyer ruled out of ILT20 with injury; Desert Vipers name replacement

Jatin

Shimron Hetymer has been replaced by Jason Roy [Source: @t20tracker, @SuvamKoirala_45/x.com]Shimron Hetymer has been replaced by Jason Roy [Source: @t20tracker, @SuvamKoirala_45/x.com]

Desert Vipers have been forced into an unexpected change at the business end of the ILT20 season. Shimron Hetmyer has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament after picking up a hamstring injury, dealing a blow to a side that has been flying high this season.

Desert Vipers lose Shimron Hetmyer to injury

The injury occurred during Vipers’ recent clash against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and the franchise has moved swiftly to rope in Jason Roy as his replacement. It is a like-for-like move in terms of firepower, even if the timing is far from ideal.

Shimron Hetmyer featured in all seven matches for Desert Vipers this season but never quite hit top gear with the bat. He managed 111 runs in six innings at an average of 18.50, though his strike rate of 160.86 showed he was still trying to make things happen.

His best effort came against ADKR on December 5, when he smashed 48 off 25 balls. Unfortunately for both player and team, that turned out to be his final outing of the campaign.

Jason Roy steps in at the right time

If there is ever a time to lose a player, it is when a proven replacement is already available. Jason Roy arrives with recent match practice under his belt and plenty of T20 miles in the legs.

Roy comes straight from a short stint with Pokhara Avengers in the Nepal Premier League, where he scored 68 runs in three matches at an average of 34. Before that, he was captaining Royal Champs in the Abu Dhabi T10, keeping himself right in the thick of action.

He is no stranger to the ILT20 either. Roy played two matches for ADKR in 2024 and followed it up with a solid season for Sharjah Warriorz, scoring 298 runs in 12 games at an average close to 30.

Tom Moody backs the switch

Desert Vipers’ Director of Cricket Tom Moody admitted losing Hetmyer hurts, but believes Roy is more than capable of filling the gap.

“We are extremely disappointed to lose a player of Shimron's quality and experience as he has played a positive role in our squad this season, but securing someone of Jason's pedigree and experience certainly softens that blow,” Moody said.

He also highlighted Roy’s versatility as he called him a batter who understands the format inside out and can slot in anywhere in the order.

Vipers still sitting pretty

Despite the setback, Desert Vipers remain in a strong position. They sit top of the points table with six wins from seven matches, the only blemish being a narrow one-run loss to ADKR earlier this week after winning six on the bounce.

That defeat may sting, but it hasn’t knocked the wind out of their sails. With Roy already in Dubai and available for selection, Vipers won’t have to reshuffle too much.

Vipers will be back in action on Sunday evening against Sharjah Warriorz in Dubai. All eyes will be on Roy to see how quickly he settles in and whether he can provide the spark that Hetmyer was searching for.