England run into Gayle storm in Mumbai

England

Cricket365
April 4, 2016

Opening batsman Chris Gayle scored the first century of the World T20 2016 as he led West Indies to a comprehensive six-wicket victory, with 11 balls to spare, over England in Mumbai on Wednesday.

The burly left-hander bludgeoned 100 not out off only 48 balls, including five fours and 11 sixes, as the Windies chased down their target of 183 with ease.

Gayle lost his opening partner, Johnson Charles, in the first over for a duck when the right-hander was caught by Moeen Ali off the bowling of David Willey.

Marlon Samuels (37 from 27 balls) though kept Gayle company in the middle as the pair added 55 for the second wicket to set a solid foundation for them to work from .

Adil Rashid got rid of Samuels in the seventh over but even though he lost his batting partner that was the period when Gayle cut loose, going to his fifty of only 27 balls.

Denesh Ramdin (12) and Dwayne Bravo (2) fell cheaply at the other end while Gayle was going berserk but Andre Russell (16 not out) was their when Gayle got his century and at the end hitting the winning runs.

England had earlier posted a competitive but not winning total as they made their way to 182 for six in their 20 overs at the Wankhede Stadium.

Joe Root top-scored with 48 but the Three Lions were guilty of not accelerating when they needed to and never upped their run-rate above ten runs to the over.

England will need to pick themselves up quickly from this loss as they take on South Africa at the same venue on Friday while the Windies face Sri Lanka in Bangalore on Sunday.