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October 7, 2012

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West Indies overpowers Australia

AN imperious Chris Gayle hit six sixes and five boundaries in an unbeaten 75 as the West Indies crushed Australia by 74 runs on Friday to secure a place in the World Twenty20 final today against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Gayle's performance helped the West Indies to a formidable 205-4 in their 20 overs. Australia was then bowled out for 131 with 20 balls to spare.

Player of the match Gayle faced 41 deliveries and shared 83 runs with Dwayne Bravo (37) for the third wicket and put on 65 off 25 balls with Kieron Pollard. Pollard's 38 off 15 balls helped West Indies become the first team of this tournament to pass the 200-run mark. The previous best score was 196-5 by England against low-ranked Afghanistan.

Along with driving up the West Indies total, Gayle's performance also eased the pressure on his fellow batsmen.

"It was actually a slow track so to be there till the end was helpful for the rest of the guys to come and play around me," said Gayle, who acknowledged his cautious opening to his innings.

"It was a slow start. I didn't get that sort of strike which I needed in the first six overs," Gayle said. But he added: "It was important I didn't panic and lose focus in that particular area."

Australia captain George Bailey was straightforward in his verdict.

"We were absolutely outplayed," he said. "Gayle was subdued for a while but while he's at the crease he's always in your mind. But we set ourselves to get to the semifinals and I don't think there's one area specifically where we can improve on. But from tonight you can probably say all three."

To chase down such a daunting target, Australian openers Shane Watson and David Warner needed to put on another fiery performance at this tournament.

However, they were dealt an early blow when leg spin bowler Samuel Badree removed Warner with just two runs on the board. The ball missed Warner's outside edge and clipped the off stump on its way to the wicketkeeper. He was adjudged out by English television umpire Richard Kettleborough after viewing replays.

Watson and Mike Hussey showed some promise, sharing 22 runs off 13 balls, but off spinner Marlon Samuels had Hussey caught and bowled for 18.

Watson was then bowled by Badree for seven, leaving Australia three down for 29. Three more wickets fell for just 14 runs, from where Australia had little real chance of recovering despite a spirited 63 off 29 deliveries by captain Bailey who shared 68 runs with No. 8 batsman Pat Cummins (13).

Bailey hit four sixes and six boundaries for his maiden Twenty20 international half-century.

However, seam bowler Pollard dismissed both men in consecutive deliveries to end any chance of an Australian win.






 

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