In a superb innings by Gayle, Australia were put to a test in the ICC T20 World Cup 2009. They have to win their match against Sri Lanka to stay in the competition.
Chasing 170, Gayle and Fletcher provided the right start. WI cannot ask for anything better than this as they put 133 for the first wicket in just 11.3 overs, close to 12 runs per over.
No one imagined that WI will chase this target against a decent bowling attack. The draw back for Aussies were the lack of quality and specialized spinners.
Gayle started with two fours in the first over from Lee. Fletcher hit a four and a six in the first two balls of the 2nd over from Johnson. The chance given by Fletchen when he was on 22 was missed by Michael Hussey at mid on.
The momentum was felt when Gayle hit Brett Lee for 3 sixes and two fours in the 5th over of the innings to take WI from 44 to 71 in just 6 balls. The over stepped no ball was also sent to the boundary line.
The first six went over mid wicket, the second hit the roof of the commentary box and the biggest six. Lee was sent all over the ground as the third went over mid wicket. The over from Lee changed the complexion of the game completley as it brought down the required run rate 6.60 per over.
WI achieved a feat in this edition by reaching 100 in less than 10 overs. The glance to square leg brough the 100 in the last ball of the 8th over.
Gayle did not stop as he hit David Hussey also four couple of sixes in one over. He was in good form and might be seeing a football instead of cricket ball.
Johnson picked the first wicket when Fletcher tried to pull a ball from off stump which ballooned up for a simple catch to David Hussey.
Gayle was picked by Lee when Gayle trying for big shots against Lee. His attempt for a six over long on went straight to Watson. Both Lee and Gayle laugh and as Lee pats on the head of Gayle acknowledging the wonderful innings he played.
Gayle ended his innings at 88 in 50 balls with 6 fours and 6 sixes. His match winnings his innings won him the man of the match.
Earlier, deciding to bat first, Australia made 169, thanks to Warner and Hussey brothers. Losing both Shane Watson and Ponting in the first over, Australia was in the back foot. The vice-captain Clarke also did not make an impression as he was caught by Benn for 2. Australia were 15 for 3 in the 4th over.
Haddin and Warner partnership gave Australia little hope. They added 66 runs for the 4th wicket in 48 balls. Warner reached his 50 in 42 balls which had 1 six and 5 fours.
The Hussey brothers added 30 runs in just 14 balls as Aussies moved to 143 in 17.5 overs. In the last two overs, Michael Hussey took Austrlia to 169 as they scored 16 runs in the last 5 balls.
To stay in the competition, Australia have to beat Sri Lanka in the next encounter. Otherwise, they will be out of the T20 World Cup, which will be a shocking defeat to the current ODI World Champions.
Scoreboard:
Match # 3, Group C
Date: Saturday June 6, 2009
Teams: Australia v. West Indies
Captains: R Ponting and C Gayle
Toss: Australia, decided to bat
Venue: Kennington Oval, London
Result: West Indies won by 7 wickets with 25 balls remaining
Points: West Indies 2; Australia 0
Man of the Match: C Gayle off West Indies
Australia Innings:
| Batsman | How Out | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
| S Watson | c Sarwan b J Taylor | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| DA Warner | c Benn b Bravo | 63 | 53 | 6 | 1 |
| R Ponting | lbw b J Taylor | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| M Clarke | c Benn b Edwards | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| B Haddin | c Benn b Pollard | 24 | 19 | 2 | 1 |
| D Hussey | c Fletcher b Bravo | 27 | 16 | 0 | 3 |
| M Hussey | not out | 28 | 15 | 3 | 1 |
| M Johnson | c Bravo b Edwards | 9 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| B Lee | not out | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Extras | (b 1, lb 5, w 7, nb 2) | 15 | - | - | - |
| Total | for 7 wkts in 20 overs | 169 | - | - | - |
Fall of Wickets: 1-1 (Watson, 0.3 ov), 2-3 (Ponting, 0.4 ov), 3-15 (Clarke, 3.3 ov), 4-81 (Haddin, 11.3 ov), 5-113 (Warner, 15.3 ov), 6-143 (DJ Hussey, 17.5 ov), 7-153 (Johnson, 19.1 ov)
| Bowler | O | M | R | W |
| J Taylor | 4 | 0 | 33 | 2 |
| Edwards | 4 | 0 | 34 | 2 |
| Bravo | 4 | 0 | 31 | 2 |
| Benn | 4 | 0 | 35 | 0 |
| C Gayle | 2 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| Pollard | 2 | 0 | 17 | 1 |
West Indies Innings: (170 to win in 20 overs)
| Batsman | How Out | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
| C Gayle | c S Watson b B Lee | 88 | 50 | 6 | 6 |
| A Fletcher | c D Hussey b M Johnson | 53 | 32 | 7 | 1 |
| X Marshall | c Hopes b M Johnson | 8 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| S Chanderpaul | not out | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| R Sarwan | not out | 8 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Extras | (lb 5, w 8, nb 2) | 15 | - | - | - |
| Total | for 3 wkts in 15.5 overs | 172 | - | - | - |
Fall of Wickets: 1-133 (Fletcher, 11.3 ov), 2-157 (Gayle, 14.3 ov), 3-162 (Marshall, 15.3 ov)
| Bowler | O | M | R | W |
| B Lee | 4 | 0 | 56 | 1 |
| M Johnson | 3.5 | 0 | 36 | 2 |
| N Bracken | 2 | 0 | 21 | 0 |
| J Hopes | 2 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| D Hussey | 1 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| S Watson | 2 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| M Clarke | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
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