PERTH, Australia, CMC – Big-hitting West Indies opener Chris Gayle was missing again with injury but his Western Australia Warriors still romped to an easy 24-run victory over Victoria Bushrangers in Australia’s Twenty20 Big Bash tournament yesterday.
Electing to bat at the WACA, the Warriors posted 152 for five off their 20 overs and then restricted Dwayne Bravo’s Victoria to 128 for eight off their 20 overs.
The win was the second in a row for Western Australia and spurred them to second spot in the Big Bash points table.
Gayle has not played since suffering a side strain in WA’s opening game against South Australia on December 29, but the Warriors’ top order batsmen have filled the breach admirably.
The opening pair of Wes Robinson (34) and Shaun Marsh (19) continued the form which saw them put on 168 for the first wicket against New South Wales last Tuesday.
They recorded a 57-run stand in seven overs to get the home side off to decent start.
Robinson lashed four fours and a six in his top score of 34 off 20 balls, while Luke Pomersbach with a 19-ball 32 and Luke Ronchi, 31 off 28 balls, kept the run rate steady as Victoria missed at least four run-out chances and struggled with their out-cricket.
Dirk Nannes (2-15) and Jon Holland (2-27) were Victoria’s chief wicket-takers.
West Indies all-rounder Bravo was expensive with his medium pace, finishing with none for 40 off his four overs. He also scored only seven off nine balls as Andrew McDonald (32) and captain Cameron White (31) were the most fruitful in the failed run chase.
Pacer Brad Knowles led the Warriors’ bowling with three for 20 off four overs while Aaron Heal (2-22) and man of the match Ashley Noffke (2-23) provided good support.
The tournament continues tomorrow with leaders South Australia facing Tasmania.
With an unblemished 3-0 record, South Australia need only to win tomorrow night to be assured of staging the final.
Victoria must win against Tasmania on Friday to stay alive and the Warriors meet Queensland in their last qualifying match on Saturday for a place in the preliminary final.
