Gayle heroics help West Indies complete record T20 run chase
POWER-HITTING batsman Chris Gayle produced a mesmerising innings as the West Indies completed the record run chase in Twenty20 history to dispatch a shell-shocked South Africa in Johannesburg yesterday.
Gayle smashed seven sixes and nine fours in a 41-ball knock of 90, sharing a 152-run partnership with Marlon Samuels (60) before the tourists toppled their victory target with four deliveries and four wickets to spare, finishing on 236-6.
South Africa had earlier posted 231-7 from their 20-over allocation, thanks largely to former Lancashire all-rounder Faf du Plessis amassing 119 from 56 balls, an innings containing five sixes and 11 fours.
The story which unfolded was particularly tough on Du Plessis who became only the second South African batsman to record an international Twenty20 century, while he also scored the second quickest international T20 ton, reaching the milestone in 46 balls, and third highest score of all-time.
The West Indies’ heroics scrubs India’s 211-4 against Sri Lanka in 2009 from the record books as the previous highest run chase, and they now hold an unassailable 2-0 series lead.