Chris Gayle dazzles in Somerset defeat to Kent Spitfires

Chris Gayle scored a mammoth total of 151 runs from just 62 balls but ended up on the losing side this afternoon as Somerset fell three runs short of the Kent Spitfires in a high-scoring Natwest T20 Blast thriller.

Visitors Kent won the toss and elected to bat, with opener Joe Denly (2) being run out in the second over to hand the Spitfires an early blow.

However, rapid knocks from Daniel Bell-Drummond (51 runs off 31 balls) and Sam Northeast (114 off 58) helped Kent charge towards a 200+ score.

Northeast's century included 16 fours and two sixes to lead the Spitfires to 227/7, but he would be eclipsed by the gusto of Gayle.

The West Indian passed 150 by hitting a six off the final ball of the innings, but by then Somerset knew they couldn't catch Kent as they were nine short.

No other Somerset player scored more than 29, with Gayle's knock including 10 fours and a whopping 15 sixes.

Kent record their fourth win in five matches, while Somerset have triumphed in one of their three T20 Blast encounters this year.