The Hindu : Sport : Gayle fireworks light up Jaipur

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Friday, Nov 03, 2006
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Gayle fireworks light up Jaipur

Vijay Lokapally

West Indies to meet Australia in the final on Sunday

— Photo: K.R. Deepak

CASTLED: South African captain Graeme Smith's woeful run with the bat continued as he again got out cheaply, this time beaten all ends up by Jerome Taylor.

JAIPUR: Shivnarine Chanderpaul was the object of envy at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium. He enjoyed vantage viewing of Chris Gayle's exhilarating performance in the middle that put South Africa out of the Champions Trophy following West Indies's six-wicket win on Thursday.

It should be hardly surprising if the Australians have nightmares ahead of the final at Mumbai on Sunday. The menacing form that marked Gayle's innings would give sleepless nights to the best of bowlers, as the South Africans discovered on an eventful day of intense cricket.

South African skipper Graeme Smith chose to set a target but the team lacked the potential to put the issue beyond an unsung and under-rated opposition.

The West Indies may have had few supporters in the run up to this contest, but its fan club would have swelled following this fantastic result.

Lazy elegance

The winning hit, a scorching straight drive by Gayle that sparked off a thunderous display of fireworks, epitomised the West Indian resurgence.

Gayle's lazy elegance (133, 135b, 17 x 4, 4 x 6) lit up the night as he pounded South Africa with some astounding strokes.

Every shot spoke of his amazing ability to mock the length and line, conditions and the pitch. There was not a single unhurried stroke from his bat and the ease with which he mounted the assault left the South Africans in a daze.

Performers like Makhaya Ntini and Shaun Pollock were dismissed with utter disdain. He clouted them around on the strength of his composed batting, pacing the innings being an outstanding aspect.

It was not that Chanderpaul (57, 70b, 4 x 4, 1 x 6), who retired at 154, was a mere spectator. He too had a role in the massive victory but then Gayle dominated the show, as is his wont.

That Gayle has no respect for reputation was reconfirmed strongly and the South Africans learnt it the hard way. Gayle slammed his third century of this tournament and 15th overall. He was indeed worthy of picking up his third Man-of-the-Match award.

Gayle's century came off 106 balls and the pace was indeed breathtaking. Once in a while, Chanderpaul would get into his element to mark his presence at the other end, but it was Gayle all the way, his irrepressible style leaving an indelible mark on the contest. It was destructive batting with an aesthetic coating.

It was so different before Gayle's advent with the bat.

Gibbs back in form

Until this morning he was not even sure of a place in the side, but at the end of the innings, Gibbs had cemented his place for the next sojourn.

A batsman with a penchant for batting aggressively, Gibbs had to adapt at an unaccustomed position but in familiar circumstances as he carried South Africa to what looked like a competitive total.

Gibbs's half century and purposeful knocks by A.B. de Villiers and Loots Bosman allowed South Africa to reach a respectable score after Smith elected to bat against the popular notion of chasing under the lights.

The surprise of the evening lay in the heavy turnout as the locals occupied nearly all the seats in anticipation of a classic culmination to the Champions Trophy fixtures at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium.

The pitch, prepared most professionally by Taposh Chatterjee, played true. The bounce was even and allowed the batsmen to play the cut and pull with confidence.

The 92-run, fourth-wicket partnership between Gibbs and de Villiers was the foundation on which the South African innings was built. Gibbs played some rousing strokes in his effort to garner quick runs and was the eighth and last man out for a responsible 77 off 90 balls with four 4s and a 6.

It was all forgotten as whatever South Africa did tonight, West Indies did better.

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