Whirlwind Gayle decimates Lankan attack
KINGSTON, Jamaica, June 28, 2013 (AFP) – Chris Gayle notched his first one-day hundred against Sri Lanka as he led West Indies to a crushing six-wicket victory with more than 12 overs to spare in the opening match of the three-nation international series at Sabina Park on Friday.
Replying to the visitors’ modest total of 208 all out off 48.3 overs, the hard-hitting opening batsman delighted his fellow Jamaicans with another dominant effort on the way to his 21st ODI century.
Windies cricket fans dance during the first match of the Tri-Nation series at the Sabina Park in Kingston . AFP
His 109 came off 100 deliveries and was embellished with seven sixes and nine fours.
That pushed his team on to 209 for four off 37.5 overs and they earned a bonus point as well for reaching their target before the conclusion of the 40th over.
That extra point is likely to be significant in the latter stages of the competition, especially with World Cup-holders and recent Champions Trophy winners India entering the fray on Sunday against a West Indies team that will be buoyant following their comprehensive opening triumph.The former captain dominated an opening partnership of 115 by the 21st over with Johnson Charles, who rode his luck for a supporting but struggling 29 before he fell off the bowling of left-arm spinner Rangana Herath.
Ajantha Mendis eventually accounted for Gayle via a miscued swing to leg, but the clever slow bowler, making a return to the Sri Lankan side, did not materialise as the threat his teammates would have hoped.
Darren Bravo was run out near the end for 27 and Kieron Pollard was unlucky to be adjudged lbw to Nuwan Kulasekara, but by then the match was over as a contest and Marlon Samuels, with skipper Dwayne Bravo at the other end, ensured that victory was complete.
Earlier, Sunil Narine returned to his miserly, wicket-taking best, snaring four for 40 as Sri Lanka faltered after a deceptively bright start to be dismissed for 208.
| ScoreboardSri Lanka U. Tharanga c Ramdin b DJ Bravo 25 M. Jayawardene c Ramdin b Narine 52 K. Sangakkara c Pollard b Narine 17 D. Chandimal c DJ Bravo b Samuels 21 A. Mathews not out 55 L. Thirimanne c Charles b Rampaul 6 N. Kulasekara c Pollard b Rampaul 2 J. Mendis c Samuels b Narine 5  Chris Gayle celebrates after scoring a century R. Herath c Sammy b Rampaul 4 |
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