ARUNDEL, England, CMC

Under-fire West Indies Chris Gayle slammed a typically robust half-century while Devon Smith carved out another, as West Indies beat the PCA Masters XI by 56 runs in a Twenty20 match yesterday.

Gayle, censured by the West Indies Cricket Board for his recent criticism of the regional governing body, stroked 73 from 34 balls to help West Indies to 198 for one off their allotted overs, after they won the toss and batted at Arundel Castle.

In reply, Marlon Samuels' four-wicket haul undermined the Masters XI as they fell for 142 all out off 19.4 overs.

West Indies were boosted by a frenetic 111-run, opening stand between Gayle and Smith, who top-scored with 77 not out from 53 balls.

While the left-handed Gayle cracked eight fours and four sixes, Smith reeled off nine fours and one six in an entertaining partnership.