Australia Masters captain Shane Watson scripted history on February 24 as he became the first to score a century in International Masters League T20. Watson scored 107 runs from 52 balls to propel Australia Masters to a solid total of 216/8. But, Watson's century went in vain as Lendl Simmons' unbeaten 44-ball 94 ensured Brian Lara-led West Indies Masters get over the line with seven wickets in hand and four balls to spare at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai.
Watson gets the crowd on their feet
West Indies Masters' captain Lara won the toss and opted to bowl first. Watson and Ben Dunk attacked in the powerplay overs. Ravi Rampaul was introduced into the attack and he dismissed Dunk for an 11-ball 15. Watson reached his half-century from 28 balls in the ninth over. Callum Ferguson just rotated strike in the partnership and lost his wicket to Dwayne Smith for a 15-ball 13 in 12th over.
Daniel Christian started off with an aggressive approach hitting Fidel Edwards for two sixes and a four in the 13th over. Watson reached his century with a six off Dwayne Smith in the 14th over. He took just 47 balls to reach three figures. Jerome Taylor ended Christan's cameo. He scored 32 runs from 15 balls. In his next over, Taylor got rid of Nathan Reardon as well. Watson fell to off-spinner Ashley Nurse. The opener hit nine fours and as many sixes in his 52-ball 107. Three wickets in final two overs as Australia posted 216/8. Nurse and Rampaul were effective as they kept the target well within the grasp of the Caribbeans.
Smith starts well but boundaries dry up after powerplay
Chris Gayle just watched from the non-striker's end as Dwayne Smith reached his century from just 25 balls in the fifth over. Christian got the crucial breakthrough in the sixth over. Smith scored 51 runs from 29 balls including 10 fours and a six. As Simmons played dot balls, Gayle was under pressure and lost his wicket to spinner Bryce McGain in the ninth over. When Lara walked in to bat, the required run rate was over 13 runs an over.
Simmons steers Windies to win with Lara boost
Lara hit a few boundaries and then Simmons broke free. In the 15th over, Simmons hit Reardon for four sixes in the 29-run over. In the next over, Lara's knock came to an end. Ben Hilfenhaus got his wicket. The captain scored 33 runs from 21 balls including five fours. Simmons got support from Chadwick Walton and they made the run chase look easy. On the second ball of the final over, Simmons ended the run chase with a four. His knock of 94 was studded with six fours and eight sixes. On the other end, wicketkeeper-batter Walton contributed with an 11-ball 23 cameo.