Gayle and Walton blow Zouks away

A brace of half-centuries from Chadwick Walton and Chris Gayle, scored at a strike rate of more than 150, powered Jamaica Tallawahs to a resounding nine-wicket victory with four overs to spare against St Lucia Zouks at Sabina Park.

Medium-pacer Krishmar Santokie put Tallawahs on course after they had won the toss, dismissing the Zouks openers in the first and third over. Kevin Pietersen attacked at his end, scoring an unbeaten 83 off 57 balls with four sixes, but he received poor support from his team-mates. Having been dropped on 42 by the wicketkeeper Walton, Pietersen went on to hit two fours and a six in each of the last two overs to lift Zouks to 158.

He added 70 runs for the fifth wicket with Darren Sammy, who had to retire hurt on 29 in the final over because of an injured finger and did not bowl in the defence. Daniel Vettori bowled an economical spell for Tallawahs, conceding only 13 runs in four overs.

The chase was a no-contest. Watlon and Gayle began in a blaze of boundaries and carried on to add 119 in 13.5 overs. Sammy had a tough day in the field, putting down Gayle on 28 and later Chris Lynn on 6. Gayle made Zouks pay for that reprieve, smashing five sixes during his 64 off 42 balls, while Walton made 76 off 48 with three sixes.