One of the most devastating batters to play the sport, Chris Gayle has scripted multiple records over the years. The legendary West Indies cricketer established himself as a formidable option in the top order across all three formats of the game.
In T20I cricket, Gayle was the first player to breach the three-digit mark. He achieved this feat during a T20 World Cup match against South Africa on this day (September 11) in 2007. Gayle had posted the highest individual T20I score back then having surpassed former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting’s tally of 98.
Gayle’s incredible batting, in Johannesburg, against the Proteas proved to be futile as the Caribbean side failed to win the game.
As the cricket world celebrates the monumental feat, we relive Chris Gayle’s epic knock against South Africa.
Chris Gayle’s blistering knock against South Africa comprised seven boundaries and 10 sixes. Gayle reached his half century off 26 balls. Later, he managed to breach the 100-run mark facing just 51 deliveries.
Gayle went on to continue with his power-packed and produce an epic knock of 117 off 57 deliveries.
Chris Gayle’s sublime batting came to an end in the 17th over after Johan van der Wath succeeded in dismissing the West Indies all-rounder. While trying to play a short-pitched delivery across the line, Gayle produced a top edge to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher.
Another West Indies opening batter Devon Smith contributed significantly having pulled off a crucial knock of 35 off 34 balls. Batting first, West Indies reached a solid total of 205 at the loss of six wickets. Johan van der Wath and Vernon Philander bagged two wickets each for South Africa. Shaun Pollock and Morne Morkel claimed one wicket each for the Proteas.
South Africa secured a positive start to their run chase with their opening batters – skipper Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs – stitching a solid partnership of 54. Smith was first to depart having registered 28 runs off 21 balls.
Herschelle Gibbs, on the other hand, continued with his aggressive approach and went on to play a match-winning innings of unbeaten 90 off 55 balls. Gibbs’ spectacular knock featured 14 boundaries and two sixes. Thanks to Gibbs’ remarkable batting, South Africa claimed a resounding eight-wicket victory with 14 balls to spare.
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