On Tuesday, Chris Gayle smashed a record-extending 22nd T20 century to help Jamaica Tallawahs to the highest score in CPL history that stood for a couple of hours before St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots broke it.
Gayle hit seven fours and smoked 10 sixes in a 62-ball 116 as Tallawahs posted 241/4 in their 20 overs. After losing his opening partner Glenn Phillips (8) in the fourth over, Gayle stitched a record-breaking 162 run stand with Chadwick Walton – the highest for any wicket in CPL history.
wow! Take a bow Chris Gayle! A Record 4th CPL 100 for the legend #CPL19 #biggestpartyinsport #SKPvJT pic.twitter.com/kSN2SzOiFV
— CPL T20 (@CPL) September 11, 2019
Walton was equally devastating smacking three fours and eight sixes in his 36-ball 73 and was out late in the innings, in the 18th over while Gayle departed an over later.
Chasing 242 to win, Patriots’ openers Devon Thomas (71) and Evin Lewis (53) made a flying start in a whirlwind stand of 85 runs in 5.3 overs. Laurie Evans and Fabian Allen extended the superb start before Tallawahs’ pacer Oshane Thomas (4/53) took four wickets in seven deliveries including three in an over triggering a mini-collapse.
Thomas removed Evans (41), Thomas, captain Carlos Brathwaite (0) and Jason Mohammed (0) reducing Patriots from 161/1 to 177/5.
Allen and Shamarh Brooks added 50 runs for the sixth wicket to put them back on track. Allen finished the chase with a six and two fours off consecutive Andre Russell deliveries as Patriots won their first match of the season with four wickets and seven deliveries to spare.
WHAT A GAME! WHAT A NIGHT! UNBELIEVABLE SCENES!! #CPL19 #Biggestpartyinsport #Recordbreaking #SKPvJT pic.twitter.com/CU6cQDqE7w
— CPL T20 (@CPL) September 11, 2019
Evin Lewis was named match of the match for the fastest half-century (17 balls) in CPL history. During the post-match press conference, Lewis stated this victory meant a lot to him as his team was chasing a huge score.
“It means a lot to me, chasing 240-odd. I had to execute my skills well today,” Lewis said.
“I had a good start when I went out there. Thought I’d keep it simple trying to chase a big score, just believed in my ability and it paid off.”
“The guys are high on confidence now after coming from a couple of losses in the first couple of games,” he added.
Brief Scores:
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots 242/6 (Devon Thomas 71, Evin Lewis 53; Oshane Thomas 4/53) beat Jamaica Tallawahs 241/4 (Chris Gayle 116, Chadwick Walton 73; Fabian Allen 2/30) by four wickets.
