Gayle signs off from Somerset in style

Chris Gayle has signed off from England's domestic T20 competition in style, crunching a rapid half-century in Somerset’s six-wicket win over Hampshire on Sunday.

Gayle, who was playing the final game of his six-match stint before heading to the Caribbean Premier League, raced to 52 from 39 balls before being bowled by Will Smith, helping Somerset reached their target of 134 in the 16th over.

The West Indies star plundered three big sixes and four fours in his entertaining knock, while Sri Lanka legend Mahela Jayawardena chipped in with an unbeaten 45 off 32 deliveries, including six fours and one six.

"It’s not a bad way to sign off, with a half century, a catch, a Man of the Match Award and two points for the team," Chris Gayle told somersetcountycc.co.uk.  

"We got the result so everything went really well and hopefully we can build on that platform.

"This is the best send-off that I could have had from Somerset.  Apart from the first game that was very poor I have felt that I have got into the spirit.  Hopefully the team can get to the final a get the chance of a trophy."

Earlier, West Indies allrounder Darren Sammy failed to fire for Hampshire, dismissed for a duck as four wickets to both Jamie Overton and Max Waller restricted the visitors to 133.

In other T20 action, New Zealand wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi helped Warwickshire to a rain-affected win over Lancashire at Edgbaston, thumping 53 from 35 balls as the Bears reached 9-144.

Lancashire struggled to 4-39 in 6.3 overs in reply before rain put an end to proceedings, with the Bears walking away with an 18-run Duckworth-Lewis win.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire claimed their first win of the T20 season, edging out Derbyshire by one run in Duckworth-Lewis at Headingly.

Chasing Derbyshire's 9-153, opener Adam Lyth scored a 16-ball 30 and New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson chipped in with 21 off 20, as Yorkshire reached 3-67 in nine overs, enough to snatch a one-run victory.