Chris Gayle
Galle: Chris Gayle became the first West Indian batsman to hammer a triple ton in an away Test, putting the hosts under pressure in the opening Test on Tuesday. The former West Indies captain made a career best 333 as the West Indians posted a massive 580/9 declared in its 1st innings on the 2nd day at the Galle International Stadium.
Sri Lanka was 54/1 in reply at stumps on Day 2, with debutant West Indian dark horse Andre Russell dismissing Tillekaratne Dilshan with his second delivery in Test cricket.31 year old Gayle also became only the fourth batsman to score two triple-centuries in Tests after Australian Sir Don Bradman, India’s Virender Sehwag and former West Indian teammate Brian C. Lara.
The left-handed aggressive opener was instrumental in devastating the Sri Lankan bowling attack for a second successive day with his superb knock, adding 86 for the third wicket with Shivnarine Chanderpaul (32) and 167 for the next with Brendan Nash (64). Chris Gayle’s previous Test best was 317 against South Africa at home in 2005, smashed 9 sixes and 34 fours in his marathon 437 ball innings.
Playing with a runner due to repeated cramps after going past his previous best, the Caribbean giant also helped the West Indies to post their highest Test total against Sri Lanka, surpassing the 477/9 declared in St. Lucia in 2003.
Gayle battled on the pitch for more than five sessions before falling in the evening, bowled by spinner Ajantha Mendis. The Sri Lankan players shook hands and congratulated the batsman when he walked back to the dressing room.
Mendis, who bowled Gayle and the new captain Darren Sammy off successive balls, finished with 169/6 for his 3rd haul of 5 or more wickets in a Test innings as the West Indians lost its last 6 wickets for 21 runs in a collapse similar to a pack of cards.
Chris Gayle’s memorable moment came when he cleanly drove Mendis through the covers for a boundary to reach his triple-ton. He then raised his helmet and bat and sat on the pitch in the process of celebration.
He was fortunate enough to survive on 287 when he was caught by Sangakkara at short extra-cover while defending a rising delivery from the Lankan paceman Dammika Prasad, but it was ruled as a no-ball. Gayle started walking back to the pavilion before being stopped by Brendan Nash at the non-striker’s end. The decision was referred to the 3rd umpire before the on-field umpire ruled it as a no-ball. Sri Lanka managed to contain runs, but somehow found wickets hard to come.
Tags: Brian C. Lara, Chris Gayle, Cricket, Galle, Sir Don Bradman, Sri Lanka, Test Cricket, Test Match, Virender Sehwag, West Indies
