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guyanatimesGY.com
monday, june 1, 2015
Gayle’s 6-laden 151* finishes in defeat C
hris Gayle’s remarkable century on his home debut for Somerset was all in vain as Kent won by three runs in an extraordinary NatWest T20 Blast match at the County Ground. He struck 10 fours and 15 sixes in an unbeaten 151 off 62 balls. However, despite an innings that should have been good enough to win any game, Gayle finished on the losing side. The last over started with 17 needed, but Gayle did not have the strike; it took two balls to get it back as Sohail Tanvir was dismissed then Jamie Overton scampered a single. That left 17 off four - not impossible by Gayle standards and it came down to 10 off two when Mitchell Claydon, who amid the carnage produced an outstanding four overs, found a priceless dot ball which meant the finalball six, Gayle’s 15th, did not change the outcome. For the first half of the game it looked likely to be another name would be taking the headlines as Sam Northeast made a career-best 114 off 58 balls. Matthew Maynard, the Somerset coach, said: “I thought Sam Northeast played a sensational innings, but then the World boss came in and it’s different gravy. However, good Sam’s innings was it just pales a little bit. But that’s what Chris can do. “We saw him in Essex the other day and today was an even more incredible performance. Words can’t explain exactly what we have seen today. He makes it looks so easy and
Chris Gayle
strikes the ball so cleanly. His knock almost brought off an incredible win today, but it just wasn’t to be.” Batting first, Kent lost Joe Denly in the second over, run out by Max Waller with the score on 10 for 1. After that, Northeast and Daniel Bell-Drummond put on a wonderful exhibition of batting. Bell-Drummond, who was dropped on 37, by Overton off Max Waller, reached his 50 in the 10th over but was snapped up by Lewis Gregory, off Waller, off the very next ball. Northeast continued to make hay as Somerset bowled too short and wide. He struck 14 fours and two sixes before passing three figures in the 18th over. Having led the home attack a merry-dance for the best part of 17 overs, he was one
of four batsmen out in the final over as Kent finished on 227 for 7. Enter Gayle, who made 92 on his first appearance against Essex, and a few other batsmen who largely stood at the other end. The West Indian opener saw Marcus Trescothick hole out to cover off Matt Coles the first ball of the fourth over before watching Peter Trego play on, two balls later. At 22 for 2, Somerset appeared to be staring down the barrel of an inevitable defeat. Gayle, however, had slightly different ideas and when the Jamaican struck three giant sixes in eight balls, the host county were on their way. James Hildreth, whose form in four-day cricket has been exemplary so far this summer, refused to remain
in the shadow of Gayle and played his part in a partnership of 113 in nine overs. However, the locals had come to the County Ground to see Gayle and they left with plenty over which to enthuse. The left hander struck five fours and four sixes in reaching 50 off 29 balls and continued to make light of a Kent attack that simply had no answer. He put three balls into the River Tone and as many into the St James’ churchyard. Hildreth departed in the 13th over, for 29, with Somerset still needing 93 to win and Jim Allenby followed off the second ball of the 16th over with 63 still required. However, Gayle went through three figures off just 45 balls and kept Somerset in with a chance until the penultimate ball. It was the sixth highest individual score in the history of Twenty20 cricket. Northeast, while delighted with victory, was left in awe. “I don’t know where to start. It was an incredible game and Chris’ innings was one of the best things I have ever seen. But special credit has to go to our bowlers who stuck to their plan and kept believing. “We were trying to get the other batters on strike, but you miss your length against him and it goes out of the park. When the opposition needs 15 an over, you kind of think it’s game over. But when Chris is out there and it went up to 20 needed off each over, you still know that he can do it. He is an incredible player.”
(Circinfo)
Police to investigate Fir Park brawl
Bilel Mohsni and Fraser Kerr had to be separated by coaches and team-mates
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olice Scotland say they will review the fight that marred the conclusion of Motherwell’s Premiership play-off final victory over Rangers. Rangers defender Bilel Mohsni was at the centre of an ugly brawl on the final whistle at Fir Park. The Tunisian was pushed by Lee Erwin and responded by aiming a kick and punch at the Motherwell striker,
before tussling with Fraser Kerr. All three players were shown red cards by Craig Thomson after the match. Assistant chief constable Bernard Higgins said: “Police Scotland will conduct a full review of the circumstances and liaise with the appropriate partners, and decide how best to take the matter forward over the coming days.”
Rangers manager Stuart McCall said he missed the incident, but acknowledged such behaviour was “unacceptable”. Speaking after his side’s 3-0 loss at Fir Park, he said: “If he has thrown a punch that’s disgraceful. “But it’s safe to say he won’t be at the club next season. He’s out of contract.” Motherwell boss Ian Baraclough said the scenes
detracted from a great day for the Lanarkshire club, who triumphed 6-1 on aggregate to retain their topflight status. “There’s been an outpouring of emotions, shall we say, and it’s gone too far,” he told BBC Scotland. “Scottish football doesn’t need it. There were two teams battling it out over 180 minutes, they gave it absolutely everything. “For one or two individuals to ruin it, tarnish it, is a shame.” Erwin appeared to shove Mohsni after the defender refused his offer of a handshake and describe his opponent’s reaction as “embarrassing” in a television interview, given with blood on his face. Motherwell fans spilled on to the pitch while the fight was going on and had to be ushered away by police and stewards as they goaded Rangers supporters.
James sets world leading time with dominant win
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Kirani James
renada’s super star athlete Kirani James outclassed rival LaShawn Merritt and blew away the field with the fastest time of the year to post a commanding victory in the 400 metres at the IAAF Diamond League in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday. James stopped the clock at 43.95 seconds to set a world- leading time while underscoring his growing stature as a dominant force in the quarter mile this season. The Grenadian now leads his American rival, who finished in 44.51 seconds, 9-5 in their career head-to-head record. Chris Brown of the Bahamas ran an impressive race to secure third place in 44.54 seconds. In a perfectly judged race, James worked hard for the first 200 metres before Merritt moved alongside him at the top of the final bend setting the stage for another close finish. However the two athletes only matched strides briefly in the early phase of the home stretch until James powered away from Merritt and the rest of the field.
“When I came out and saw the crowd I was excited. That was all the support I needed to come out here,” said James in a post-race interview. “I am just trying to come out here and make sure I represent my country properly and just have fun”. There was also success for Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce who edged out Murielle Ahoure from Ivory Coast to win the 100 metres in 10.81 seconds. Both sprinters posted the same time but Fraser-Pryce prevailed in a nail-biting finish to rebound from a disappointing outing in Shanghai just under a fortnight ago. Another Jamaican, Nickel Ashmeade had to settle for third place behind South Africa’s Anaso Jobodwana as Justin Gatlin sped to victory in the 200 metres. Gatlin clocked 19.68 seconds to emulate his personal best and world leading time of 2014 and match the blistering mark he set in Monaco last season. Jobodwana finished in 20.04 seconds while Ashmeade registered 20.18 seconds. (CMC)
2nd town-hall meeting set to coincide with opening Test
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he West Indies Cricket Board will host its second town-hall meeting here Monday, as the country prepares to host the opening Test between West Indies and Australia starting Wednesday. The event, set for Fort Young Hotel, follows the opening meeting staged in Barbados two weeks ago and will see WICB president Dave Cameron and vice-president Emmanuel Nanthan fielding questions and concerns from stakeholders here. “We believe the public town-hall meeting is a great way to hear what people across the Caribbean have to say about the important issues facing their game,” Cameron said. “It presents a great opportunity for our stakeholders to learn more about initiatives which the WICB is working on at this time.” “We want to restore the
Dave Cameron
public confidence in the WICB and we can only do this if we talk to our public – the fans, sponsors and our governments.” The third town-hall meeting has been scheduled for Guyana on July 22 with another carded for Trinidad on July 24. Cameron and Nanthan, the latter of whom hails from Dominica, were re-elected for second terms in March. (CMC)