CPL 2019: St Kitts and Nevis Patriots overcome Gayle century to chase down 242
Powered by Chris Gayle’s 116 from 62 balls, Jamaica Tallawahs posted 241/4 at Basseterre, St Kitts. This was the highest total in the Caribbean Premier League. However, the record lasted for only two hours as the home team, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, chased down the target with four wickets and seven balls to spare. This is now the second-highest run chase in T20 cricket with Australia’s 244 against New Zealand in 2018 occupying the top spot.
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Usually quiet at the start, Gayle was in a different mood against his former CPL team. He went after Fabian Allen in the opening over, smacking him for two sixes and a four. His partner Glenn Phillips fell without contributing much. Chadwick Walton, the number three, then complimented Gayle in an equally explosive way. The duo opened fire after the powerplay overs, smashing sixes all over the park.
Walton fell for 73 from 36 balls (3 fours, 8 sixes) while adding 162 runs for the 2nd wicket in just 79 balls. Gayle completed his 22nd T20 century in 54 balls although his first fifty was scored in 36 balls. Late hitting from Andre Russell and a six on the last ball from Shamar Springer carried the Tallawahs to the final score of 241/4.
Lewis-Thomas provide a blazing start
Patriots opening pair came out to bat with an intent of matching fire by fire. Evin Lewis emulated his international opening partner by regularly clearing the fence. He brought up his fifty in just 17 balls thus owning the record of fastest CPL fifty. Despite his dismissal, the Patriots kept accelerating and notched up 100 runs in just seven overs.
Devon Thomas (71 from 40 balls) and Laurie Evans (41 from 2o balls) continued the momentum generated by Lewis. The Jamaican side sneaked back in the game with three wickets in 10 balls. However, Fabian Allen and Shamarh Brooks ensured the progress. In the penultimate over, Allen smashed Andre Russell for 14 runs thus completing the chase with seven balls remaining.
The record-breaking game
Other than it being the second-highest chase and Lewis scoring the fastest CPL fifty, there were few other records created as well.
* This match at Basseterre, St Kitts witnessed as many as 37 sixes – joint-most in a T20 game.
* Gayle with his 116 became the second-highest individual scorer in the CPL.
* The 162-run partnership between Gayle and Walton is the highest stand for any wicket in the CPL.
Brief Scores:
Jamaica Tallawahs 241/4 in 20 overs (C Gayle 116, C Walton 73; F Allen 2-30) lost to St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots 242/6 in 18.5 overs (D Thomas 71, E Lewis 53, L Evans 41; O Thomas 4-53) by 4 wickets
