CHRISTOPHER Gayle starred with his 16th hundred in Twenty20 cricket as Jamaica Tallawahs handily beat Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel by 50 runs in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) match at Sabina Park last night.

Gayle bludgeoned 105 off 57 deliveries, while Jermaine Blackwood made a 28-ball 38 in the Tallawahs’ formidable 180-6 off their allotted 20 overs. Spinner Sulieman Benn took 2-19 for Red Steel.

In reply, the Red Steel lost wickets early and failed to recover as they were restricted to 130-9. Opener Jacques Kallis top scored with 46 off 36 balls. Left-arm medium pacer Krishmar Santokie took 3-27.

Scores: Tallawahs 180-6 (20 overs); Red Steel 130-9 (20 overs).

It was the Tallawahs’ second win in as many outings after beating St Lucia Zouks by nine wickets on Tuesday.

Powered by the openers, Jamaica Tallawahs were off to a rollicking start to their innings.

Gayle took charge from the get-go as he and Chadwick Walton added 70 runs off six overs and four balls before wrist spinner Samuel Badree had the latter trapped leg before wicket for 13.

The Tallawahs then lost some of the early momentum in reaching 102-4 in the 12th over.

But Gayle, who shared in a stand of 68 runs with Jermaine Blackwood (38) for the fifth wicket, kept motoring on at the other end with a number of trademark big hits down the ground.

A six off pacer Javon Searles’ long-hop in the 18th over brought Gayle to 98 and two singles later in the over saw him bring up his century off 54 balls.

Gayle was eventually dismissed when he skied a slower ball from medium pacer Dwayne Bravo, with the bowler running around to take the catch in the midwicket area.

With the win, the Tallawahs moved to eight points ahead of tomorrow’s clash versus Barbados Tridents at Sabina Park, while Red Steel, who battle St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in Basseterre, also tomorrow, remain on three.

— Sanjay Myers