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Rain plays spoilsport as Gayle misses history bid against India
PROVIDENCE, Guyana, Aug 9, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Inclement weather forced the
abandonment of the first one-day international between the West Indies and
India at the Guyana National Stadium on Thursday, after Chris Gayle was made
to wait for the hosts’ ODI run-scoring record.
Only 13 overs were bowled after the home side were put in to bat when India
captain Virat Kohli won the toss, with the West Indies reaching 54 for one
before rain drove them off the field.
Having already started two hours late because of morning showers, the
further rain interruptions during the brief innings ended any hopes of a
result and any lingering prospect of play was washed away by the latest
downpour in mid-afternoon.
Veteran opening batsman Gayle was the lone wicket to fall, being bowled by
left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav for just four, leaving him nine runs
short of surpassing the tally of outstanding former batsman and captain Brian
Lara of 10,405 as the most by a West Indian in ODIs.
Gayle, who has reversed a decision to retire from the 50 overs-per-side
format of the game after the World Cup, occupied 31 deliveries before being
dismissed.
This is his 299th ODI, equalling Lara’s record for the most by a West
Indian.
It therefore means that the 39-year-old will establish a new ODI record for
West Indies appearances and also has the chance to surpass Lara’s run tally
when the second match is played in Trinidad — Lara’s homeland — on Sunday.
In contrast to Gayle’s pedestrian innings, Evin Lewis was unbeaten on 40
off 36 deliveries (three sixes, two fours) in partnership with Shai Hope when
the match was called off.
“It’s probably the worst thing in cricket — the stop-start game,” observed
Kohli after the rain finally won the battle on the day.
“The more stops you have the more you have to be careful on the field.”
In speculating on the West Indies’ chances of upsetting India in the
remaining ODIs, having already been swept 3-0 in the T20 series, West Indies
captain Jason Holder was succinct: “We have to be consistent, in all
departments.”
BSS/AFP/GMR/0912 hrs