BBL 15/16: Chris Gayle's record for joint-fastest T20 fifty goes in vain for the Renegades
Chris Gayle created the record for the fastest fifty in T20 as he scored his 50 off just 12 balls, thus equalising the record of Indian all-rounder, Yuvraj Singh. Gayle achieved the feat in the for the Melbourne Renegades against top-ranked Adelaide Strikers in the last league match of the 2015/16 Big Bash League.
Gayle hit seven sixes and two fours in his innings of 56 off 17 balls. Four of those sixes came in the first over of the match as Greg West was smashed all over the ground for 27 runs in his first over. In the third over, Ben Laughlin suffered at the hands of the Jamaican as the bowler conceded 23 runs.
The 36-year-old was 44 off 10 balls and looked set to break the record, but Laughlin bowled a brilliant yorker to restrict the big West Indian from creating history. However, the very next ball that Gayle faced off Travis Head was sent into the stands as the Renegades opener joined the top of the list with Yuvraj.
The Renegades, who had to win the match within 16 overs, were propelled to a great start by Gayle, however the Strikers showed why they have been the best-performing team in the BBL as they fought back and dismissed the home side for 143 runs in 15.3 overs, 27 runs short of the target.
Gayle top-scored with 56 off 17 balls, but only three other batsmen reached double figures for the Renegades. Head, who had a disappointing day with the bat, picked up three wickets to knock the Renegades out of the tournament.
Earlier, the Strikers put up a good total of 170/5 in 20 overs after an 85-run opening partnership between Tim Ludeman and Jono Dean. Xavier Doherty was the pick of the bowlers for the Strikers as he picked up 2/30.
And to think there was a movement to kick Gayle out of the tournament ... #BBL05
— James Smith (@JamesSmith1001) January 18, 2016
I'll go out with him after that effort. #BBL05
— Rohan Connolly (@rohan_connolly) January 18, 2016
Brief Scores: Adelaide Strikers 170/5, 20 overs (Ludeman 49, Dean 48; Doherty 2/30) beat Melbourne Renegades (toss) 143/10, 15.3 overs (Gayle 56, Rimmington 26; Head 3/16, Neser 2/15) by 27 runs.
Top 5 fifties in T20s (excluding T20 internationals):
| Batsman | Team (Opponent) | Balls taken |
| Chris Gayle | Melbourne Renegades v Adelaide Strikers | 12 |
| Marcus Trescothick | Somerset v Hampshire | 13 |
| Imran Nazir | Sialkot v Lahore Eagles | 14 |
| Gerard Brophy | Yorkshire v Derbyshire | 14 |
| Kieran Noema-Barnett | Central Districts v Otago | 14 |
Top 5 fifties in T20Is:
| Batsman | Team (Opponent) | Balls taken |
| Yuvraj Singh | India v England | 12 |
| Colin Munro | New Zealand v Sri Lanka | 14 |
| Paul Stirling | Ireland v Afghanistan | 17 |
| Stephan Myburgh | Netherlands v Ireland | 17 |
| Chris Gayle | West Indies v South Africa | 17 |