Aiming to end Fletcher's eight-year reign on a high, England decided to bowl first in the hope of utilising early swing and perhaps ruining the farewell party of the brilliant Brian Lara. But in front of a packed Kensington Oval crowd, perhaps for the first time in the tournament, Gayle cut loose and tore into an England attack showing three changes as West Indies accelerated to 141 for one at the halfway stage of their innings.

Gayle raced to a 29-ball half-century, hitting three sixes and six fours in the process, and forced England captain Michael Vaughan to use seven different bowlers inside the first 17 overs having won the toss for the sixth successive match. His fierce assault, which included hitting two fours and two sixes off successive balls from a Liam Plunkett over which cost 22, left England once again battling just to remain in the match.