Gayle’s Western Australia lose again
HOBART, Australia (CMC) — Western Australia Warriors, playing without injured West Indies batsman Chris Gayle, slumped to their second consecutive loss yesterday in Australia’s Big Bash Twenty20 tournament when Tasmania battered by 17 runs at the Bellerive Oval.
Electing to bat, Tasmania compiled 167 for eight off their 20 overs and then restricted the Warriors to 150 all out in 18.5 overs.
The Pakistani Naved-ul-Hasan was pivotal for the winners, smashing a shot-filled 47 before grabbing three wickets to strangle the visiting Warriors in their run-chase.
After slipping to 74 for five in the 11th over, Tasmania were revived by Travis Birt and Naved, who staged a stirring sixth-wicket stand of 74 in 7.2 overs.
Birt struck 54 off 42 balls with four fours and two sixes while Naved faced just 27 balls for 47 with three fours and two sixes.
Western Australia set a good platform for victory when openers Luke Ronchi (27) and Shaun Marsh (18) rapidly moved the score to 40 without loss off four overs.
Pacer Brendan Drew then struck two quick blows to remove Ronchi and Luke Pomersbach (2) and although captain Adam Voges stroked a fluent 31, the Warriors were unable to secure victory.
Drew claimed three for 30 off his four overs and Naved supported well with three for 29 off 3.5 overs.
Western Australia, now in trouble with a record of 0-2 record, anticipate the return of Gayle for Tuesday’s home match against New South Wales.
Gayle suffered a side strain during the Warriors’ loss to South Australia on Tuesday in Perth and missed Friday’s New Year’s Day fixture.
The tournament continues today with the Victoria Bushrangers, including West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, facing Dwayne Smith’s New South Wales Blues.