Navi Mumbai, Feb 27 (NationPress) Chris Gayle, Dwayne Smith, Sulieman Benn, and Ravi Pampaul showcased their timeless skills as the West Indies Masters defeated the England Masters by eight runs, marking their second win in the inaugural International Masters League (IML) on Thursday.

The DY Patil Stadium was filled with memories as legends from both teams illuminated the field during the fifth match of the inaugural IML. The West Indies Masters delivered an all-round performance that echoed their glorious past. Gayle and Smith reignited the Caribbean spirit, combining for a thrilling 77-run opening partnership in just over seven overs after being invited to bat.

Gayle, stepping in as captain for Brian Lara, dazzled the crowd with a display of powerful hitting, scoring 39 runs off 19 balls, while Smith contributed with a solid 35 off 25. Gayle's innings was highlighted by four towering sixes and three fours, while Smith maintained a more controlled approach with four fours and two sixes.

However, the English spinners quickly turned the tide, claiming the first five wickets in rapid succession. Chris Schofield, the leg-spinner, initiated the collapse, breaking the flourishing opening stand in just three deliveries. Left-arm spinner Monty Panesar then struck thrice in quick succession, stifling the West Indian momentum as they went from 90 for 2 in 10 overs to 113 for 5 in 15 overs.

The entrance of Deonarine and Ashley Nurse shifted the momentum back in favor of the West Indies, as they launched an impressive counter-attack, adding 44 runs for the sixth wicket. Deonarine smashed three sixes, finishing with an unbeaten 35 off 23 balls, while Nurse supported him with 29 runs off just 13 balls, pushing the innings total to 179/6.

In reply, the England team struggled to find their rhythm after a quick 35 from opener Phil Mustard and a 22 from captain Eoin Morgan. The disciplined West Indian bowling attack limited their scoring opportunities and took wickets consistently, leaving the English batting at 76/5 within the first 10 overs.

After Rampaul and Jerome Taylor dismissed the top three, spinners Sulieman Benn and Ashley Nurse added three more wickets to the tally. With the required run rate increasing, Chris Schofield and Chris Tremlett managed a 52-run partnership for the seventh wicket before Taylor dismissed Schofield, who scored 32 runs off 26 balls.

Needing 18 runs from the final over, Stuart Meaker and Tremlett almost led England to victory with their late innings heroics. However, Dwayne Smith used his experience to secure the win for the West Indies.

Brief scores:

West Indies Masters 179/6 in 20 overs (Chris Gayle 39, Dwayne Smith 35, Deonarine 35; Monty Panesar 3/14) defeated England Masters 171/8 in 20 overs (Phil Mustard 35, Chris Schofield 32; Sulieman Benn 2/11, Ravi Rampaul 2/38) by 8 runs.