OMEN
09-11-2007, 09:07 PM
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Gibbs: Undefeated
A magnificent century from the West Indies' Chris Gayle counted for nothing as South Africa got their World Twenty20 off to a winning start in Johannesburg.
The hosts successfully chased down 206 with the loss of just two wickets, although victory was tempered by a potentially tournament-ending wrist injury to skipper Graeme Smith.
The left-hander was hit by the first ball of the Proteas' reply by Daren Powell but batted through the pain to make 28 from 21 balls.
It was Herschelle Gibbs who then led the way with 90 not out from 55 balls, while Justin Kemp bludgeoned 46 from 22 in an unbroken partnership as the hosts eased home with 14 balls left.
Remarkable
But it was Chris Gayle who initiated the aerial bombardment with a remarkable century, making 117 off just 57 balls - including no less than 10 sixes - as the West Indies made a total 205 for six.
Gayle put on an opening stand of 145 off 86 balls with Devon Smith as South Africa's attack laboured for 14 overs without success.
The partnership overtook that of Smith and Loots Bosman as the most successful in Twenty20 history - the South Africans previously sharing an unbroken stand of 132 against Pakistan earlier this year.
With Gayle providing fireworks at the other end, Smith preferred a more conservative approach and hit just three boundaries in his 35 before being caught behind off Vernon Philander.
But Gayle was in belligerent form, with seven fours accompanying a haul of sixes which doubled the previous record of five shared by Australians Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn and Adam Gilchrist.
He was eventually dismissed in the 17th over when an attempted hook off Johan van der Wath instead fell into the gloves of wicketkeeper Mark Boucher.
South Africa's bowlers then tried with a degree of success to contain the damage, with just 38 runs coming off the final five overs.
And that momentum proved key as the West Indies bowlers strayed off a true line from the outset, sending down a record 23 wides.
Gibbs was dropped twice on the boundary while Kemp was also spilled by Marlon Samuels as the West Indies' trademark lack of discipline came to the fore.
Ramnaresh Sarwan's field-placing and surprise introduction of Dwayne Smith to the attack must be questioned as well - Smith went for 37 in his two overs.
The West Indies will now need to beat Bangladesh in their next match to have any hope of progression, while South Africa will anxiously await the result of Smith's X-ray.
Sky
Gibbs: Undefeated
A magnificent century from the West Indies' Chris Gayle counted for nothing as South Africa got their World Twenty20 off to a winning start in Johannesburg.
The hosts successfully chased down 206 with the loss of just two wickets, although victory was tempered by a potentially tournament-ending wrist injury to skipper Graeme Smith.
The left-hander was hit by the first ball of the Proteas' reply by Daren Powell but batted through the pain to make 28 from 21 balls.
It was Herschelle Gibbs who then led the way with 90 not out from 55 balls, while Justin Kemp bludgeoned 46 from 22 in an unbroken partnership as the hosts eased home with 14 balls left.
Remarkable
But it was Chris Gayle who initiated the aerial bombardment with a remarkable century, making 117 off just 57 balls - including no less than 10 sixes - as the West Indies made a total 205 for six.
Gayle put on an opening stand of 145 off 86 balls with Devon Smith as South Africa's attack laboured for 14 overs without success.
The partnership overtook that of Smith and Loots Bosman as the most successful in Twenty20 history - the South Africans previously sharing an unbroken stand of 132 against Pakistan earlier this year.
With Gayle providing fireworks at the other end, Smith preferred a more conservative approach and hit just three boundaries in his 35 before being caught behind off Vernon Philander.
But Gayle was in belligerent form, with seven fours accompanying a haul of sixes which doubled the previous record of five shared by Australians Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn and Adam Gilchrist.
He was eventually dismissed in the 17th over when an attempted hook off Johan van der Wath instead fell into the gloves of wicketkeeper Mark Boucher.
South Africa's bowlers then tried with a degree of success to contain the damage, with just 38 runs coming off the final five overs.
And that momentum proved key as the West Indies bowlers strayed off a true line from the outset, sending down a record 23 wides.
Gibbs was dropped twice on the boundary while Kemp was also spilled by Marlon Samuels as the West Indies' trademark lack of discipline came to the fore.
Ramnaresh Sarwan's field-placing and surprise introduction of Dwayne Smith to the attack must be questioned as well - Smith went for 37 in his two overs.
The West Indies will now need to beat Bangladesh in their next match to have any hope of progression, while South Africa will anxiously await the result of Smith's X-ray.
Sky