Carribean Premier League 2018: Top 5 Performances of the First Week

The sixth edition of the Caribbean Premier League got underway on the 8th of August and has already produced some spectacular performances with both bat and ball.

Jamaica Tallawahs lead the points table with two wins from as many games and have the Guyana Amazon Warriors breathing down their necks with the same number of points but having played an additional match. Trinbago Knight Riders failed to continue the good work after a dominating start to the season as they lost their next two matches to remain on 2 points.

They have Barbados Tridents and St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots for company who also have one win apiece, while St. Lucia Stars are yet to break their losing streak which is now 14 matches long starting from the 2016 edition.

Individual brilliance often defines the result of a T20 match and seven matches into this year's CPL, we've already had a number of such instances.

Let's take a look at the best performances of the first week of CPL 2018:

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#5 Shimron Hetmyer (Guyana Amazon Warriors) - 79 (45) vs St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, 2nd Match

Hetmyer anchored the run chase for Guyana

In pursuit of 147, Guyana Amazon Warriors were rocked early as they were reduced to 24/3 in the third over. However, Shimron Hetmyer batting at no.3 ensured that there were no further worries for his side as he joined hands with Jason Mohammed and Chris Green in steady, yet effective partnerships to get the Warriors over the line.

Hetmyer enjoyed a slice of luck as Patriots' keeper Devon Thomas missed a stumping chance off the first ball he faced as he failed to read a googly from Sandeep Lamichhane. But since then, Hetmyer combined aggression with sensible batting as he rotated strike well apart from the 9 fours and 4 sixes he struck. He brought up his fifty off 29 balls and in the 17th over of the chase, collected his ninth boundary to secure a convincing win for the Warriors.

"It wasn't that hard in the middle but I kept losing a few partners. When Green came out, I told him to stick around and take it from there even if we needed a few big shots towards the end. My favourite shot at the moment is the late dab behind point. The dew just worked for me with the pace some of the guys bowled at and it helped the pitch as well for batting." - Shimron Hetmyer after his innings

#4 Rayad Emrit (Guyana Amazon Warriors) - 3/26 (4) vs St. Lucia Stars, 4th Match

Rayad Emrit bowled Warriors to a three-run win

Despite a below-par batting effort, the Guyana Amazon Warriors still managed to continue their winning ways courtesy an outstanding bowling performance led by Rayad Emrit.

The St. Lucia Stars were cruising in their run chase at 113/2 with Lendl Simmons and Kieron Pollard at the crease. But Emrit had other ideas as he first got rid of Simmons in the 17th over and then dismissed Pollard and Rahkeem Cornwall off consecutive balls in the 19th over in a sensational death bowling spell comprising yorkers, slower deliveries and a mix of well-disguised variations.

The Stars eventually fell short of the target of 141 by three runs and Emrit was deservedly named man-of-the-match.

"Nothing is impossible, it was tough, I knew how difficult it would be when Pollard was batting. We have got some momentum now, tonight, I thought myself and the team came on top" - Rayad Emrit after his match-winning performance

#3 Raymon Reifer (Barbados Tridents) - 5/20 (4) vs Guyana Amazon Warriors, 6th Match

Reifer derailed Warriors' run chase

Barbados Tridents started their campaign with a bang as they secured a 30-run win over Guyana Amazon Warriors. While Shai Hope played brilliantly for his 88 and led the Tridents to a commanding score of 185, it was Raymon Reifer who ensured that an in-form batting lineup of the Warriors was kept at bay due to his five-wicket haul.

The Warriors were off to a flying start as they raced to 40/1 in the fifth over of the chase. But Reifer removed both Luke Ronchi and Shimron Hetmyer in an over to put the pressure back on the Warriors. The left-arm pacer returned in the 19th over to kill any remaining hopes that the Warriors had by picking up 3 more wickets and secured a victorious start for the Tridents.

"They got off to a good start and when I came in I wasn't looking to take wickets and was only looking to keep it tight. This performance is right up there with my other fifers. This is our first game and I was searching for good rhythm; luckily I have it now and would look to put it to good use for my team." - Raymon Reifer after his match-winning effort

#2 Carlos Brathwaite (St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots) - 41 (15) and 2/19 vs Trinbago Knight Riders, 5th Match

Brathwaite put up an all-round show

Carlos Brathwaite was at his destructive best against Trinbago Knight Riders. First, he smashed a 15-ball 41 to catapult the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots to a score beyond 200. Then, he bowled a superb spell of four overs, conceding just 19 runs while also picking up the crucial wicket of Colin Munro as one of his two scalps.

The Windies' T20I captain tore apart the TKR attack, striking as many as 5 sixes in an innings which ensured that his side went into the break on a high. Tasked with opening the bowling for the Patriots, he bowled disciplined line and lengths to suck out the momentum of TKR's chase and set up a 42-run win for the team.

Brathwaite was unlucky to not be named man-of-the-match, as that honour went to Devon Thomas for his 34-ball 58.

#1 Andre Russell (Jamaica Tallawahs) - 121 (49) and 3/38 vs Trinbago Knight Riders, 3rd Match

Russell truly defines a T20 all-rounder

Andre Russell could do no wrong against the Trinbago Knight Riders.

First, he pulled off a spectacular catch to get rid of a dangerous-looking Chris Lynn. Then, he registered the first hat-trick of the season in the 20th over of TKR's innings. But the best was yet to come.

In pursuit of a mammoth target of 224, the Jamaica Tallawahs were reeling at 41/5 when Russell came out to bat. He unleashed a series of brutal stroke-play to stun the Knight Riders as he single-handedly won the match for his team, scoring 121 off just 49 balls.

His all-round performance made him only the second man after Joe Denly to achieve the incredible feat of racking up a ton and taking a hat-trick in the same T20 match.

"First game as a captain at this level, definitely it's a good start. I am gonna enjoy this till it lasts. The hard work has been paying off.I don't have a problem batting at 7. We have a dinosaur tail. I get the job done there, so I am happy." - Andre Russell after his scarcely believable captaincy debut.