Gayle paves the way for Jamaica victory

NAIN: Chris Gayle completed his second hundred of the match to catapult Jamaica to an eight-wicket victory in the five-day Final Challenge of the Carib Beer Cricket Series against the Leeward Islands yesterday. Gayle, who scored 131 in the first innings, helped the Jamaicans claim their second title of the season with a purposeful, undefeated 150, as the hosts successfully chased a victory target of 251.  The left-handed Gayle, who was omitted from the West Indies 14-member squad for next week’s First Test against South Africa because of the sponsorship row that has rocked West Indies cricket, lofted Omari Banks for a straight six to formalise the result about half-hour before tea.

In all, Gayle hit two sixes and 15 fours from 181 balls in just over four hours for his seventh West Indies and 21st career First-Class hundred, and emphasise how much West Indies will miss his presence at the top of the order when they face South Africa. Gayle became only the second Jamaica batsman to score two centuries in the same match in the West Indies First-Class competition since Allan Rae achieved it 58 years ago. Gayle was fortunate though. He edged the first ball of the second over of the day from Kerry Jeremy between wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs and first slip fielder Stuart Williams, and later gained the benefit of the doubt from umpire Terence Birbal for a leg before wicket appeal off Adam Sanford.

Gayle shared 164 for the first wicket with Jamaica captain Wavell Hinds, who scored 48, and added 64, unbroken, for the third wicket with Tamar Lambert, who made 23 not out. Jamaica continued from their bedtime position of 26 without loss and, with the Alpart Sports Club pitch still playing relatively easy, the Leewards faced an uphill struggle to deny the hosts. Once Gayle and Hinds carried Jamaica to 123 without loss at lunch, the pendulum had swung decisively their way and it was only a matter of time.

Apart from Gayle’s two close shaves, the Leewards had a chance to make a breakthrough before the interval when Hinds, on 21, offered a return chance to Banks, but the off-spin bowler could not hold on. After the interval, Hinds spent another 25 minutes in the middle before he was adjudged LBW to Jeremy after striking five fours from 135 balls in just over three hours. The only other casualty for the Jamaicans was Marlon Samuels, who was bowled for 14 dragging a wide from Wilden Cornwall into his stumps. When he departed, Jamaica still needed 63, but Gayle and Lambert hastened the end in a volley of strokes.