Gayle, Samuels make poor starts to Big Bash campaign

SYDNEY, Australia, CMC – West Indies batsman Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels both failed, but Samuels’s Melbourne Renegades snatched a five-wicket in a low-scoring encounter in the Australia Big Bash here Friday.

Playing at Stadium Australia, Sydney Thunder tallied 116 for seven with Gayle managing just 12 from 13 balls before being run out in the fifth over with the score on 24.

Rookie Chris Tremain top-scored with an unbeaten 37 from 23 balls to rally Sydney from a dire 60 for seven in the 14th over, anchoring an unbroken seventh wicket stand of 56 with Ryan Carters (18 not out).

Samuels sent down four overs for 18 runs and took one wicket with his off-spin.

Renegades then marched to their target with 10 balls to spare, with opener Aaron Finch leading the way with 31 from 33 balls.

Samuels, batting at number three, scored just four before he was bowled by seamer Azhar Mahmood at the end of the sixth over at 34 for two. Gayle’s one over of off-spin cost nine runs.

Both Gayle and Samuels were playing in their first game of the Big Bash after concluding their tour of Bangladesh with West Indies last week.