AGENCIES, JAN 18| 16 Adelaide: Chris Gayle did a Yuvraj Singh in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) on Monday equalling the Indian’s record of fastest T20 half-century as the West Indian pulverised the attack of Adelaide Strikers at the Etihad Stadium in Melbourne. The last league fixture of the BBL saw hosts Melbourne Renegades taking on the Strikers with a semifinal spot up for grabs. But despite Gayle’s 17-ball 56, which included 7 sixes and 2 fours at a strike rate of 329.41, the hosts lost the game by 27 runs. The knock saw Gayle equalling Yuvraj’s record, which he set against England during the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in 2007. The knock is also famous for the six consecutive sixes Yuvraj hit in the over bowled by Stuart Broad. The Jamaican six-hitting specialist’s 12-ball scoreline on Monday made for an interesting read: 2.6666266(free hit)416 The left-handed opener also broke the record for fastest BBL half-century, which was scored by Tim Ludeman and Chris Lynn in 18 balls. The former West Indies captain also holds the record for the fastest T20 century, which he scored in just 30 balls for his Indian Premier League team Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2013 edition. Travis Head, who has been included in Australia’s T20 squad for the three-match series against India, removed Gayle in the end. However, it has been reported that Cricket Australia may ban Gayle from participation in future editions of the BBL after his controversial interview with Channel 10 presenter Mel McClaughlin, where he made objectionable remarks on live television.
