London: Chris Gayle marked his return to top-flight West Indies duty with a blistering fifty in the second one-day inter-national against England at The Oval here on Tuesday. It was, however, in vain, as England won the match by eight wickets, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
Prior to the start of the match there was a one minute’s silence for county cricketer Tom Maynard, who died on Monday.
The 32-year-old Jamaica left-hander made 53 in just 51 balls with five sixes and three fours before he fell lbw to Graeme Swann.
Gayle, arguably the world’s best limited-overs opener, had not played an international match for 15 months following a dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board.
Having missed the 114-run defeat in the first ODI at Southampton with a shin injury, Gayl showed just what the West Indies had been missing since his last international appearance at the 2011 World Cup
West Indies scored just 14 runs in the first five overs after England captain Alastair Cook had opted to field after winning the toss. But 48 runs came in the next six overs as Gayle cut loose.
The onslaught started when Gayle struck three fours in as many balls off fast bowler Steven Finn. He then pulled James Anderson, who had started with two maidens, for six.
First change Tim Bresnan’s opening over went for 18 runs as Gayle struck three sixes, drives off successive balls over long-on and long-off followed by a huge hit onto the roof.
The West Indies, however, could not depend solely on the Jamaican, and they struggled to put runs on the board after being reduced to 79/4. They managed to recover somewhat thanks to a 41 from Kieron Pollard and 77 from Dwayne Bravo – they put on a century part-nership together – but with a total of 238/9 after 50 overs, England would have fancied their chances.
In reply, the hosts had no early problems, with the first 100 runs coming in less than 20 overs and with no loss of wickets.
Both openers flourished, with man-of-the-match Cook making 112 and Ian Bell 53, with the captain being the more aggressive batsman. Despite his late dismissal, England won with five overs to spare. (AFP)