Jason Roy Replaces Injured Shimron Hetmyer at Desert Vipers

Desert Vipers have been forced into a squad change for the remainder of the ongoing ILT20 season, with Shimron Hetmyer ruled out due to a hamstring injury. The West Indies batter sustained the injury during Vipers’ recent match against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR) earlier this week. Former England opener Jason Roy has been named as his replacement.

Hetmyer featured in all seven matches for the Vipers this season but endured a modest run with the bat. He scored 111 runs from six innings at an average of 18.50, though he maintained an impressive strike rate of 160.86. His standout performance came against ADKR on December 5, when he struck a brisk 48 off 25 balls.

Roy joins the ILT20 following a short stint in the Nepal Premier League, where he represented Pokhara Avengers, scoring 68 runs in three matches at an average of 34. Prior to that, he captained Royal Champs in the Abu Dhabi T10. The 34-year-old is no stranger to the ILT20, having played two matches for ADKR in 2024 before featuring in 12 games for Sharjah Warriorz the following season, scoring 298 runs at an average of 29.80.

Vipers’ Director of Cricket Tom Moody expressed disappointment at losing Hetmyer but welcomed Roy’s arrival.

“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.

“Jason ticks all the boxes for us. He knows the format inside-out, he is a versatile batter who can go through the gears, he provides us options up and down the order, he has been playing recently and he has experience in the ILT20.”

Desert Vipers currently sit at the top of the points table with six wins from seven matches. Their narrow one-run defeat to ADKR earlier this week marked their first loss of the tournament after six consecutive victories. Vipers return to action on Sunday evening against Sharjah Warriorz in Dubai, with Roy already having joined the squad.