PERTH, Australia (CMC):

West Indies captain Chris Gayle defied a side strain to smash a typical whirlwind 44, but his efforts proved in vain as Western Australia plunged to a 29-run loss to Trinidadian Kieron Pollard's South Australia in the Twenty20 Big Bash yesterday.

The left-handed Gayle, the tournament's star attraction, belted five fours and three sixes off just 29 balls as Western Australia could muster just 167 all out off 19 overs, in pursuit of 197 for victory at the WACA.

Gayle's fireworks came after his West Indies counterpart Pollard had also taken centre stage with a pugnacious 31-ball 45 as South Australia raised 196 for six off their allotted 20 overs, batting first on losing the toss.

However, both West Australia and West Indies were left with a worry after Gayle retired hurt with a side muscle strain on 40 at 60 without loss in the fifth over of the innings.

He returned in the 16th over with his side struggling at 150 for six, but added just four runs from eight deliveries before falling at 166 for eight to a fine catch by wicketkeeper Graham Manou, running almost to third man to snare a top-edge.

Pakistani leg-spinner Shahid Afridi, who finished with splendid figures of four for 19, captured the last two wickets in the 19th over to end Western Australia's challenge.

Dazzling innings

Gayle had earlier seemed poised to produce another dazzling innings, reminiscent of his 70-ball century in the recent Test at the WACA, when he reeled off a number of sensational strokes to give the innings a frenetic start.

He clattered two fours and a six in the second over that cost 15, but appeared to injure himself attempting to cart the fifth delivery from medium pacer Mark Cleary out of the ground.

Despite the discomfort, Gayle unleashed a furious assault on Cleary in his next over. He smashed the first ball over mid-wicket for six, hit the second over long-on for four before dumping a half-volley over long-off for a spectacular six.

He edged the final delivery of the over for four as the over cost 22 and propelled Gayle to 36 and Western Australia to 54 without loss.

When he finally limped out of action, Western Australia quickly lost their way, garnering just 43 runs from the next 39 balls with three wickets tumbling.

Earlier, the 22-year-old Pollard rallied South Australia after they slipped to 77 for four in the 10th over. The big-hitting right-hander clobbered four fours and two sixes and shared two critical partnerships to ensure his side's revival.

He posted 40 from 31 balls for the fifth wicket with Mark Cosgrove, who slammed 42 from 29 balls, and then added a frenzied 60 off 26 balls for the sixth wicket with Cameron Borgas, who finished unbeaten on 34 from 16 balls.