Marlon Samuels says Chris Gayle’s presence made his century more special – Cricket News Update
West Indies all-rounder, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Marlon-Nathaniel-Samuels-c74804, on Saturday said that the presence of his long time friend and belligerent opener Chris Gayle in the dressing room made his century against New Zealand even more special.
“It was an enjoyable day for me and the team,” said the Jamaican, who played an unbeaten knock of 101 as West Indies scripted a 55-run win over the Kiwis to go 2-0 up in the five-match series.
"I hadn't batted with Chris for a while, so batting with him today was wonderful and we played well together," he added further.
In front of a jam packed Jamaica crowd, the 31-year-old right-handed all-rounder shared a third-wicket stand of 129 runs with fellow Jamaican http://www.senore.com/Cricket/CH-Gayle-c1221, who has recently returned to the national set up after more than a year, to put the hosts well on course
to an intimidating total of 315 for 5.
Samuels' exquisite 101 not out, which came almost at a run-a-ball, was laced with seven boundaries and a six. On the other hand, explosive Gayle struck eight muscular fours and nine lofty sixes to reach 125 from 107 balls, before being caught by Tom Latham
at the boundary, off http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KD-Mills-c1781.
"I played exactly the way I wanted to today. Chris set the stage with his awesome power at the top of the innings and then I was able to come in and add the finishing touches," said the right-handed middle-order batsman, who scored third century of his ODI
career, and first in six years.
Samuels, who later claimed two wickets as well, dedicated his dazzling three-digit knock to Jamaica, celebrating its 50th anniversary of Political independence.
Chris Gayle also heaped praise on his Jamaican teammate.
"I felt he played really well and I'm happy for him,” said the lanky opener. “He is a quality player and to see him get a hundred after I got one earlier in the innings is something special," he added further.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754, in the third of the five ODIs, which gets underway at Warner Park in Basseterre, St. Kitts, on Wednesday.
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