Ken Borland

While everyone sympathises with bowlers in the shortest version of the game, there is tremendous pressure on batsmen as well, with double-figure run-rates expected as a norm even under the pressure of a chase. Gayle, arguably the foremost T20 batsman in the world, says partnerships are the key despite his own reputation for single-handedly destroying teams.

“When you lose a couple of early wickets then there’s always even more pressure, but with Symes we were able to build a big partnership, which is very important. If you have a large partnership, then you have a good chance of winning the game,” Gayle said at the Wanderers nets on Wednesday..

“But then I got out at a crucial time, which could’ve cost us the game, and as batsmen we need to maintain our discipline as much as possible. But thanks to Symes we managed to get there in the end.”

“It was a bit different batting with a world-class batsman like Chris, he didn’t say much, just ‘keep batting mon’. We chased well though and getting a partnership going is the key. I just wanted to get him on strike and watch from the other end as he unleashed the fury,” Symes said.

The pair came together in the fourth over with the home side struggling on 36 for three, with Gayle belting 56 off 38 balls to set up victory, but it was Symes who took the Lions home with a beautifully-paced 58 not out off 50 balls.

“It’s nice to come in earlier and have more time to construct an innings, it’s not that easy just coming in and swinging. I’m not really that sort of player, I like more time. For me cricket is about playing decent shots and getting rewarded for them,” Symes said.

The Lions, who have made a strong start to the season with just three defeats in nine matches, next play the Chevrolet Warriors on Friday, with the struggling Eastern Cape side suffering a 74-run thrashing at the hands of the Knights at the Wanderers.

But before writing off the Warriors’ chances, it’s important to note that the match will be played in East London, where conditions are far removed from what the Lions are used to up on the Highveld.

“The type of decks you get on the coast, especially in East London or Port Elizabeth, suit the Warriors better, they know the right lengths and areas to bowl on those pitches,” Symes pointed out.

The fans at Buffalo Park will no doubt be looking forward to the match as they get the chance to experience the magic and charm of Chris Gayle first-hand.

The laid-back Jamaican knows his job is not only to win matches for the Lions, who have been very welcoming, but also to entertain.

“They are like family now and I have picked up a few dance moves from them, it’s a very jovial bunch. I was actually fined for my performance after the first game (Gayle also took four wickets) and was the first one to drink a beer in the fines meeting.

“I’m hungry to perform for the franchise, to take the team to the Champions League and make the fans happy. They have given me a fantastic reception. They come to be entertained and I’m very sad when that does not happen. I want to give back to them as much as possible,” Gayle said.

http://citizen.co.za/269949/partnerships-key-says-master-blaster-gayle/

The Lions were chasing 173 for victory and Gayle belted six fours and two sixes as he scored a belligerent 56 off 38 balls. He and Jean Symes added 89 off 68 balls after the hosts were struggling on 36 for three in the fourth over, steering them to victory with seven balls to spare as Thami Tsolekile (23* off 12) hit a couple of sixes in the penultimate over to clinch the win.

Symes compiled a beautifully-paced 58 not out off 50 balls, with four fours and two sixes, and played the perfect foil to Gayle, who showed what a big drawcard he is going to be over the next month.

The West Indian left-hander took a while to get going, but was just beginning to break free, having completed his half-century off 35 balls, when Prenelan Subrayen bowled him in the 14th over.

The Lions still needed 48 off the last six overs, but the Dolphins were unable to restrict Symes and Tsolekile, who completed a comfortable victory over the defending champions.

The Dolphins had to break free from their own poor start after winning the toss and electing to bat first, Cameron Delport falling first ball to Lonwabo Tsotsobe, who seems to be well and truly over his long-term injury niggles, and Morne van Wyk (5) being trapped lbw by Hardus Viljoen’s first delivery.

The Dolphins were 27 for two in the fourth over and desperately needed the stand of 71 off 45 balls between Cody Chetty and Vaughn van Jaarsveld.

Van Jaarsveld stood up from a painful blow amidships from Chris Morris to slap the fast bowler for four and six in the seventh over as the Dolphins passed 50, and Chetty completed a 32-ball half-century with five fours and three sixes.

But the introduction of Gayle with his flat and crafty off-spin derailed the Dolphins progress.

The tall 35-year-old claimed wickets in each of his four overs: Van Jaarsveld (40 off 25) mistimed a lofted straight drive to long-on, Jonathan Vandiar (8) and Khaya Zondo (5) both walked across their stumps and missed sweeps to be given out lbw, and Chetty top-edged a sweep to long-on to fall for a classy 68 off 44 balls.

That allowed fast bowlers Viljoen and Morris to gain access to the lower-order and they wrapped up the innings in style as the Dolphins scored 37 for four in the last four overs.

Viljoen returned in the penultimate over to remove the dangerous Subrayen for 26 off 13 balls and Morris claimed two wickets in the final over to leave the Dolphins short of a winning target on 172 for nine.

Gayle finished with four for 36 to claim the bowler of the match award, but Viljoen returned the best figures of two for 14 in three overs, while wrist-spinner Eddie Leie also managed to frustrate the Dolphins in tandem with Gayle.