Gayle blasts senior players

West Indies captain Chris Gayle has blasted his senior batsmen after the team went down to a one-run defeat to South Africa in the second and final 20/20 International yesterday at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua.



It took a careful partnership of 68 off 11.5 overs between Dwayne Bravo and left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul to steady the innings after West Indies had slumped to nine for two after 2.5 overs.



However, Gayle says Bravo and Chanderpaul allow too many dot balls during their 68-run partnership, which put the side under pressure.



Bravo top scored for West Indies with 40 from 42 balls as the hosts set a victory target of 121, was restricted to 119 for seven after needing 15 off the last over and then two off the last ball.



Chanderpaul scored 29 from 37 deliveries.



However, Gayle was happy with his bowlers who limited the South Africans to 120 for seven off their allotted 20 overs.



The victory gives South Africa a 2-0 sweep of the series. The South African won the opening match by 13 runs at the same venue on Wednesday.



South Africa captain Graeme Smith was very happy for the series sweep.



West Indies and South Africa will next play five One-day Internationals, starting tomorrow at the same venue, which also hosts the second game.



This will be followed by three Tests in Jamaica, St. Kitts, and Barbados.