JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, CMC – An astonishing hundred from Chris Gayle fired Lions to an easy ten-wicket win over Warriors in the South African Ram Slam Twenty20 League here Friday.
The left-hander smashed an unbeaten 108 off just 55 balls as Lions, set 145 for victory, motored to their target with 34 balls remaining at Buffalo Park in East London.
Gayle smashed ten fours and seven sixes, dominating the unbroken opening stand with Alviro Petersen who was a spectator with 29 not out from 35 balls.
England’s Craig Kieswetter had earlier gathered an unbeaten 82 off 64 balls to guide Warriors to 144 for six off their 20 overs.
The opener stroked eight fours and three sixes, holding the innings together as wickets fell around him.
Gayle then started in high gear, smashing two sixes and a four off the first over of the innings by off-spinner Simon Harmer which cost 19 runs.
He also took a turn in seamer Rusty Theron plundering two fours and a six in the bowler’s second over which leaked 17 runs, as he brought up his half-century off just 21 deliveries.
Gayle slowed his tempo en route to three figures with the second fifty requiring 30 balls.
He raised victory for the Lions by clearing the ropes with Harmer, with the second delivery of the 15th over.
At SuperSport Park, Darren Sammy and Andre Russell produced cameo all-round performances as Knights beat Titans by 35 runs.
Russell pummelled 48 from 21 balls with eight fours and two sixes to power Knights up to 179 for seven off their 20 overs.
Openers Rudi Second (44) and Gerhardt Abrahams (41) weighed in strongly while Sammy finished with three for 21 from his three overs, including the wicket of Russell.
In reply, Titans were held to 144 for five, with Sammy smashing a four and a six in a 17-ball 23 while opener Dean Elgar plodded through the innings for an unbeaten 65 off 64 balls.
Russell proved economical, taking one wicket and conceding just 20 runs from four overs.
