West Indies’ ‘Universe Boss’ aka Chris Gayle went on a rampage against South African bowlers at Edgbaston, Birmingham on July 7 in the ongoing World Championship of Legends 2024. Chasing a target of 175, Gayle deposited the ball into the stands as West Indies Champions won the game by six wickets with five balls to spare.
Flawed start for South Africa
Skipper Gayle won the toss and opted to bowl first against Jacques Kallis' South Africa Champions. In the first over, Neil McKenzie got run out for a diamond duck by Dwayne Smith. Richard Levi hit a few boundaries before he got run out as well. Levi scored 20 runs from 14 balls. Badree completed his economical spell with Kallis' wicket. He conceded 13 runs from quota of four overs.
Vilas’ cameo helps Proteas post fighting total
Jean-Paul Duminy and Ashwell Price struggled to score quickly in middle overs. Duminy got knocked over by Jason Mohammed in 13th over for 25-ball 23. Justin Ontong hit a six before becoming Mohammed's second victim. In the 18th over, Dane Vilas went berserk hitting Rayad Emrit for two sixes and as many fours. In the final over Navin Sewart conceded 19 runs. Price hit a six and a four as he remained not out for 35-ball 46. Vilas' quickfire 17-ball 44 helped South Africa Champions post 174/5.
Gayle'storm' hits Birmingham
Gayle started the run chase with three boundaries off Dale Steyn. In the fourth over, Imran Tahir was introduced and Gayle hit him for two consecutive monstrous sixes over long-on and long-off. On the other hand, Smith struggled to rotate the strike. In the ninth over, Smith fell to McKenzie for a 24-ball 22. Chadwick Walton did not take much time to settle and took on McKenzie in the 11th over.
Walton finishes in style
Gayle reached his half-century from 33 balls in the 12th over. The southpaw hit Tahir for two more sixes. Veron Philander wasn't spared either. Walton and Gayle hit him for one six each. Charles Langeveldt broke the partnership. Gayle got out lbw for a 40-ball 70 in the 14th over. Then Philander struck twice to dismiss Jonathan Carter and Ashley Nurse. But Walton attacked and did not let the Proteas come back into the game. In the final over, he hit Steyn for a six on the first ball to finish the game in style. He remained unbeaten for 29-ball 56 as West Indies Champions won by six wickets.
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