MELBOURNE, Australia, CMC – Marquee West Indies opener Chris Gayle extended his decent form in the Big Bash League but his Melbourne Renegades crashed to a ten-wicket defeat to Perth Scorchers here yesterday.
The left-handed Gayle stroked 41 off 35 balls to help Renegades up to 170 for four off their 20 overs, after they were sent in at Docklands Stadium.
He struck two fours and three sixes and put on 98 off 68 deliveries for the first wicket with captain Aaron Finch who slammed 72 off 48 balls with six fours and three sixes.
Gayle was one of two wickets to fall in the 12th over off successive deliveries but Finch and wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, who hit 35 from 25 balls, added a further 47 for the third wicket to keep the innings afloat.
West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo chipped in with 14 from ten balls at the death.
In reply, captain Michael Klinger smashed an unbeaten 90 from 58 balls with seven fours and three sixes while opening partner Shaun Marsh cracked 76 not out off 54 deliveries, as Scorchers motored to their target in the penultimate over.
Medium pacer Bravo went wicket-less from his four overs which cost 35 runs.
