CHRIS Gayle produced a virtuoso performance with the bat once again as he led his Jamaica Tallawahs side to a comprehensive 10-wicket win over the St Lucia Zouks – their first win of the 2015 Hero Caribbean Premier League.Gayle clubbed an unbeaten 90 off only 36 balls, reaching his 50 off 20, as the Tallawahs easily chased down the Zouks’ 118-9, using up only 10 of their alloted overs.
Chadwick Walton – who scored 25 off 25 balls – and Gayle also put on the Tallawahs’ first century partnership as they moved into third place in the 2015 Hero CPL.
It was an extraordinary performance and one that entirely vindicated Gayle’s decision to put the Zouks – who had won their previous two games – in to bat after winning the toss at the Beausejour.
Johnson Charles smashed three fours off one Krishmar Santokie over, but after he was bowled by Jerome Taylor for 29 off 22, the Zouks’ innings stalled. Daniel Vettori bowled four fine overs of spin and took an incredible catch, leaping full length at mid-wicket to get rid of Andre Fletcher.
There were two more outrageous catches, Australian Chris Lynn doing for Kyle Mayers with some quick-thinking as he took the catch and threw the ball up as he stepped outside the ropes and then stepped back inside to collect the ball, before Santokie took a screamer over his head to dismiss Kevin Pietersen for 26 off 25.
The Zouks fell apart, going from 94-3 to 111-9 as Santokie bowled brilliantly to finish with 3-24 and Rusty Theron took 3-19.
They were lucky not to be bowled out inside their 20 overs, but it didn’t matter as the self-styled ‘World Boss’ Gayle set about finishing the job quick-time, with a couple of sixes in particular sailing miles back into the crowd.
Gayle finished it in style by going 6, 6, 4, 6 off Liam Sebastien to wrap it up after 10 overs, before being named man-of-the-match. A stunning display from the great man!