The most successful batsman for New Zealand in the two ODIs vs. West Indies, BJ Watling, speculated that they should find a way to get rid of Chris Gayle early to win.
Gayle has been in a tremendous form ever since the series started against New Zealand and has played match winning innings. He smashed 125 runs scored off just 107 balls with the assistance of 9 huge sixes and 8 sweetly timed fours in the second One Day International. The match was played on July 7, 2012, at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica, which was won by the home side with a margin of 55 runs. That was a successive second victory for the Windies against the Black Caps who are trailing 0-2 in the five match series.
The Caribbeans scored 210 runs for the loss of two mere wickets at the end of the 35th over in the second ODI. Gayle and Marlon Samuels were at the crease with unbeaten 123 and 52 runs respectively and they looked like reaching the 350 mark by the end of the 50th over. The Kiwi bowlers struck back and removed Chris Gayle for 125 and came back into the game. The hard hitting Kieron Pollard lost his wicket for 8 and the solid middle order batsman Dwayne Bravo could manage just 3 runs.
Marlon Samuels was well set and thrashed unbeaten 101 runs, Darren Sammy held his end with 31 quick fired runs and West Indies was restricted to 315 runs. That was a nice comeback by the visitors and BJ Watling believes they can do better by removing Gayle early. He said,
“They looked at one stage to get 350 but the boys at the end there, they hit the hole, they struggled to find the boundaries like they had in the previous games and we really adjusted quite well at the end. Obviously, we can start a bit better. If we can get a couple of early poles, if we can get Gayle out early, it’s obviously a bonus.”
Watling is the most successful batsman for New Zealand in the on-going ODI series and has scored 132 runs in the two matches at a superb average of 132.00, with the best of unbeaten 72 runs. He believes that the young Kiwis are getting back into the rhythm and will prove better in the matches to come.
Chris Gayle has been the main threat for the Black Caps ever since the series began. He was the main run getter in the three Twenty20s by posting 138 runs at an excellent average of 138.00 with the best of unbeaten 85. He scored 2, unbeaten 85 and 53 runs in the three matches, earned the title ‘Player of the match’ in the second match and was declared ‘Player of the series’ as well.
Gayle has piled up 188 runs in the two ODIs played so far at a spectacular average of 188.00 with the best of 125. He scored 63 off just 57 deliveries that comprised 5 lofty sixes and 4 fours in the first ODI and has become a nightmare for the visitors. The match which took place in Jamaica on July 5, 2012, was won by the home side by a big margin of nine wickets.
BJ Watling was confident that if New Zealand bowlers can penetrate into the top order of West Indies batting and especially get hold of Gayle early, they have a better chance of becoming victorious in the rest of the games. He further commented,
” if we can obviously take a couple of wickets at the start, get Gayle out and then put them under a bit of pressure, I think we have got a chance of getting up in the next few games.”
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