Experienced opener Chris Gayle slammed 109 off 100 balls Friday as West Indies romped to a six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the opening one-day cricket international in the tri-nation Celkon Mobile Cup at Sabina Park, says a report in Indian Express.
According to the report, the 33-year-old Gayle blasted nine fours and seven sixes in posting his 21st one-day century as the hosts successfully chased down Sri Lanka's modest total of 208 all out off 48.3 overs. West Indies finished on 209-4 off 37.5 overs, ensuring they earned a bonus point in the tri-nation event that also includes India. Gayle and Johnson Charles laid the platform for victory with an opening stand of 115 in 20.2 overs. Charles chipped in with 29.
Earlier, ace spinner Sunil Narine grabbed 4-40 and fast bowler Ravi Rampaul took 3-38 to restrict the visitors to a below-par total on a true surface. Captain Angelo Mathews top-scored with an unbeaten 55 for the visitors, while veteran Mahela Jayawardene chipped in with 52.
According to a report in Deccan Chronicle, even as Gayle got out after bringing his side to the doorstep of victory — the West Indies needed just 28 runs for win in 19 overs — they lost two more wickets after the Jamaican's dismissal.
But skipper Dwayne Bravo and Marlon Samuels kept their cool to see the hosts through for a bonus-point win with 73 balls to spare. After helping himself to two fours, Gayle did what he is best at — hitting Jeevan Mendis straight over his head for a six to get the local crowd on their feet, says the report.
That was just the beginning of Gayle's assault as he hoicked Nuwan Kulasekara over deep midwicket for another maximum. The next ball was carted over wide long-off for same result. Sri Lanka's pace spearhead Lasith Malinga was not spared either as his fast bouncer flew off a top-edge for six. Mendis was hit for two more sixes before Rangana Herath found himself at the receiving end of Gayle's onslaught.
Gayle got to his century with a cheeky single to mid-off, got down on his knees, arms aloft, to celebrate yet another awe-inspiring knock.
According to a report in Tribune, West Indies, which won the toss, fought back well after an opening stand of 62 in 13 overs between Jayawardene and left-hander Upul Tharanga. Captain Dwayne Bravo made the initial breakthrough by claiming Tharanga for 25 to an edge through to wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin. West Indies stifled the Sri Lankans after that through Narine, the miserly Darren Sammy (10-0-34-0) and Rampaul. The long-serving pair of Jayawardene and Sangakkara were both prized out by Narine, the world's No. 1-ranked bowler.
Jayawardene struck seven fours in a run-a-ball 52 before he tried to tuck to leg and spooned a catch off bat and pad for Ramdin to collect in the leg side. Sangakkara (17) followed at 104-3, the left-hander lofting a drive straight to Kieron Pollard at extra cover.