West Indies opening batsman Chris Gayle hit a 12-ball half century to equal the record for the fastest 50 in Twenty20 cricket, but could not prevent his team, the Melbourne Renegades from going out of the Australia Big Bash League (BBL) last week.
Gayle hit seven sixes to equal the mark set by Indian batsman Yuraj Singh against England at the 2007 World Twenty 20.
He was out five balls later.
Gayle, 36, already holds the record for the fastest Twenty20 century, made off 30 balls for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League in 2013.
Needing to surpass the Adelaide Strikers’ 170 for five in 15 point five overs or less to reach the BBL semi-finals, the Renegades were bowled out for 143.
Meanwhile, legendary former Australia captain Ian Chappell has called for an international ban on West Indies batting star Chris Gayle for his controversial on-air flirtations with a female Australian television reporter.
Gayle had already been fined Aus$10,000 (US$7,000) for the incident which took place during a recent Big Bash game in Hobart, but Chappell believes the punishment should go further.
“I wouldn’t have a problem if Cricket Australia said the clubs, he’s never to be contracted again in this country,” Chappell said. “And I also wouldn’t have a problem if Cricket Australia said to the ICC, ‘what we’re doing should be worldwide.’”
Gayle has since apologized for the comments amidst widespread criticism, including from the Cricket Australia and Big Bash league authorities.
