Jermaine Lannaman, STAR Writer

Shot-filled half-centuries from in-form openers Chadwick Walton and Chris Gayle guided Jamaica Tallawahs to an impressive nine-wicket win over St Lucia Zouks in their Caribbean Premier League Twenty20 encounter at Sabina Park last night.

Wicketkeeper Walton, in one of his best batting performances in the format, struck three massive sixes and nine fours on his way to making 76, as the Tallawahs, set 159 for victory - achieved their target at 159 for one in 16 overs.

Gayle, for much of the innings, played second fiddle. He was unbeaten on 64 at the end, after striking five sixes and three fours.

The pair also put on 119 for the first wicket, the second century partnership of the tournament, before Walton was dismissed, caught at mid-on off fast bowler, Fidel Edwards

Earlier, the Tallawahs playing before a big and noisy home crowd, were led in the field by left-arm pacer Krishmar Santokie, who ended with two for 29.

Jamaica Tallawahs will next play the Dwayne Bravo-led Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel at the same venue tomorrow starting at 6 p.m.