HARARE, Zimbabwe, CMC – Estranged West Indies opener Chris Gayle smashed a whirlwind unbeaten century but his Matabeleland Tuskers crashed to a seven-wicket defeat with three balls to spare in the domestic Twenty20 Championship here yesterday.
The left-hander, shunned by West Indies selectors because of a wrangle with the regional board, hit an exhilarating 109 from 59 balls to fire the Tuskers up to 171 for one off their 20 overs at the Harare Sports Club.
However, Brendan Taylor (75) and Gary Balance (67) then slammed attacking half-centuries to propel Mid West Rhinos to 175 for three off 19.3 overs.
Sent in to bat, the Tuskers lost Tom Smith for two at five for one in the second over but his dismissal paved the way for Gayle’s fireworks.
The big hitting Jamaican lashed seven fours and eight sixes, dominating an unbroken 166-run, second wicket partnership with Paul Horton who got 47 from 58 balls.
The Rhinos also stumbled early in their run chase when Riki Wessels was dismissed without scoring at six for one in the third over.
However, Taylor masterminded two superb partnerships to get the Rhinos up to their target.
He struck five fours and three sixes off 54 balls, adding 56 for the second wicket with New Zealander Lou Vincent (25) and a rollicking 105 off 54 balls for the third wicket with Ballance, who struck six fours and four sixes off 34 balls.
Gayle was guilty of being expensive, leaking 47 runs from the 21 balls he bowled.
