A strong Gayle takes West Indies home

Chris Gayle blasted one of the fastest half-centuries in Test cricket history to steer West Indies to an emphatic 10-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second Test in Trinidad.

Set 93 to win after New Zealand made 331 in their second-innings, West Indies raced to their victory target off just 13.2 overs before tea on the fifth and final day at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain.

Gayle smashed seven fours and six sixes to finish unbeaten on 80 off only 46 balls as West Indies levelled the three match series at 1-1.

Fellow opener Kraigg Brathwaite ended on 14 not out and was named man of the match after scoring his maiden Test hundred in the first innings.

“It was a fantastic win. The conditions were tough for the bowlers,” said West Indies captain Denesh Ramdin. “The pitch was placid, it was one in which you had to keep working well.”

With rain having already interrupted the final day and more showers forecast for the late afternoon, Gayle took no chances with the weather, attacking the New Zealand bowlers from the moment he took strike.

The Jamaican brought up his fifty off 28 deliveries – equalling the sixth fastest half-century in Tests – when he cracked a full toss off New Zealand leg spinner Ish Sodhi over the long-on rope.