English fan retrieves Gayle six from river

A cricket fan has been rewarded for taking a swim in an English river to retrieve a ball struck by West Indian Chris Gayle.

Footage was posted of Martin Bullock paddling out to the ball in the River Tone outside Somerset’s County Ground in Taunton on Sunday as he is cheered on by his mates.

Bullock’s keepsake was made even more memorable, and valuable - when Gayle agreed to sign it.

The six that ended up in the Tone was one of 15 smashed by the giant West Indian, who also hit 10 fours on his way to an unbeaten 151 from just 62 deliveries against Kent in his home debut for Somerset.

Remarkably, Gayle’s efforts were not enough to secure victory with Somerset falling three runs short of the Spitfires’ total of 227-7.