Caribbean hard hitter Chris Gayle is undoubtedly one of the best batsmen in the sport in the shortest format as he continues to astonish fans with his ability to strike the ball.
Playing for the Jamaica Tallawahs, Chris Gayle stuck his 18th T20 century at a strike rate of more than 200 to help his side to a storming win over the Trinbago Knight Riders in the ongoing edition of the Caribbean T20 league.
Having been set a target of 192, the Tallawahs started their chase slowly and cautiously. By the end of the powerplay, they were stuck at 29/1 after C Walton was run-out in the last over.
Kumar Sangakkara looked classy while he lasted but he went for a brisk 20 leaving the batting side needing over 12 runs an over in the last 10 overs.
However, the next three overs changed the course of the game.
Gayle who was playing at 30 at the start of the 11th over got stuck into the bowlers as he took 71 runs to bring down the target to around a 50 in the last 7 overs.
He smashed left-arm spinner Suleiman Benn for a 30 run over in the 13th as he raced away 89 of just 38 by the end of that over.
It was then a walk in the park for Andre Russell and Chris Gayle as they coasted their way to victory in the 19th over.
This was his third CPL century and he was awarded the man of the match for his efforts.
Earlier in the day, a strong batting performance from the Knight Riders was needed to set the target up.
Hashim Amla and Brendon McCullum put on a 49-run partnership. After McCullum lost his wicket, Colin Munro joined the South African as the duo added another 100 to lay a decent platform for the last few overs.
Dwayne Bravo and Amla took 39 runs from the last three overs as the opener ended his innings of 74 losing his wicket in the last over of the innings.
Dale Steyn, who was expected to lead the charge from the Tallawahs was taken to the cleaners as he leaked 56 runs of his four while Sakib al Hasan was also expensive.
However, the Knight Riders have only themselves to blame as they had a decent start to the second innings with the ball.
Sunil Narine bowled his 4 overs for just the 9 runs as the Tallawahs were smart to see him off and lash into the rest of the bowling lineup.
They lost the plot after the Powerplay and also gave Gayle a couple of chances that saw him turn his ‘six-hitting’ button on in the last 10 overs. He naturally won the Man of the Match award for his blitzkrieg.
This victory takes the Tallawahs to the top of the table level on points with the Guyana Amazon Warriors while the Knight Riders, who played their 4th game of the tournament already, find themselves deep in trouble with just one victory so far.
Scorecard of Trinbago Knight Riders vs Jamaica Tallawahs:
Trinbago Knight Riders:
H Amla: 74 (52b 6*4, 3*6); C Munro: 55 (39b 5*4, 1*6)
I Wasim: 1/18; K Williams: 1/34
Jamaica Tallawahs:
C Gayle 108*: (54b 6*4, 11*6); A Russell: 24 (18b 2*4, 1*6)
S Narine: 1/9; D Bravo: 4/35