Gayle heroics in vain

Chris Gayle hits over the top on the way to a 50-ball century for West Indies © Getty Images

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Chris Gayle hit a blistering century but it was not enough to deny hosts South Africa victory in the opening game of the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in Johannesburg.

West Indies opener Gayle was at his scintillating best at the Wanderers, racing to 117 off just 57 deliveries – the first hundred in Twenty20 internationals – as his side rattled up an impressive 205 for six.

But West Indies let themselves down in the field as a number of costly dropped catches helped South Africa claim a thrilling eight-wicket win.

Herschelle Gibbs was the main beneficiary, with Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Dwayne Bravo both dropping the opener on his way to an unbeaten 90. Gibbs rounded off the match by hitting the winning four in the 18th over.

Justin Kemp was dropped by Marlon Samuels on 13 on his way to 46 not out from just 22 deliveries.

Gayle’s stunning innings, which included 10 sixes – another Twenty20 record – and seven fours, ended when he slogged Johan van der Wath high into the air and wicket-keeper Mark Boucher claimed the catch with ease.

Devon Smith contributed a useful 35 as he and Gayle chalked up another record with a partnership of 145 before Smith was caught behind off Vernon Philander.

South Africa’s victory came at a cost, however, with captain Graeme Smith suffering a hand injury after being hit by a delivery from paceman Daren Powell.

Smith carried on to make a battling 28 before falling to Gayle, but the injury will make him a doubt for South Africa’s second Group A outing against Bangladesh on Saturday, despite a later scan revealing he had not suffered a break.

Herschelle Gibbs powers South Africa to victory with 14 balls to spare © Getty Images

Gibbs also sustained a leg injury during his heroic innings and required a runner.

“It’s the second time I’ve played at this ground and ended up on the losing side,” a dejected Gayle said. “I had 10 sixes but I think I missed out on a few more.

“Having said that, I thought South Africa played really well and Gibbs played a magnificent innings, but the field let us down again.

“They (South Africa) have played this Twenty20 a lot and we are new to it, but there is no excuse for that and we need to improve on our fielding some more.

“We still have Bangladesh to play. Hopefully we can win that game and see what happens in the stages.”

Shaun Pollock, who suffered a difficult evening with the ball, finishing with figures of 1-52 from four overs, added that the Proteas’ improbable win was one to savour.

“It means a hell of a lot to us,” he said. “We’ve got a fantastic crowd in tonight and they’re all here to support us.

“They have made a big score and obviously had an awesome innings from Chris Gayle.

“For someone to get a big hundred like that and to knock it off rather comfortably in the end is a big plus for us and it gives us a lot of confidence moving on through the tournament.”