Higgins has India hopes
Buttler smashes a whirlwind 150 in record England score but Gayle makes them sweat
39-year-old became just the second West Indian batsman to pass 10,000 ODI runs behind fellow left-handed legend Brian Lara. As long as Gayle remained at the crease, the Windies were on course for a stunning victory with Darren Bravo offering plenty of support in a partnership of 176 runs in 18 overs.
But while most bowlers were taking it in turns to crane their necks as the ball disappeared back over their heads, the irrepressible Wood stepped up to stem the flow with his wickets.
He removed Bravo when he was caught at mid-on by Ben Stokes before Shimron Hetmyer hit his first ball for six, tried to repeat it second ball and was caught by Alex Hales.
Finally, it was Stokes who put an end to Gayle’s fun and the Windies challenge when he bowled the opener with 124 still needed.
Carlos Brathwaite and Ashley Nurse took their side close, but Rashid returned to spin his web and take four wickets in an over that closed out the game.
Earlier, Buttler had his own partner of destruction in the shape of captain Morgan who collected his 6,000th run for England. BUTTLER GAYLE JOHN HIGGINS got his title defence of this year’s ill-fated Indian Open up and running last night.
The tournament, originally scheduled for September, was postponed following the Kerala floods that claimed 500 lives and saw a million people evacuated.
Higgins beat Ashley Hugill 4-1 in his opener – and today faces recent German Masters semi-finalist Duane Jones.
Higgins said: “I haven’t been playing great lately, confidence is low. Any win can get you back to feeling good.
“I have been down but I’m starting to feel better.”
GLENN MAXWELL smashed an unbeaten 113 as Australia beat India by seven wickets to wrap up a 2-0 series victory in the second T20 international in Bangalore. Maxwell hit nine sixes in his 55-ball innings to overhaul India’s 190-4 with two balls to spare.