He hammered eight sixes and 26 fours in his 247-ball knock, as the tourists made the most of winning the toss on a good batting pitch. Shivnarine Chanderpaul was unbeaten on 20 at stumps.
Gayle’s score was also his best in away Tests, surpassing 197 against New Zealand at Napier in 2008, and his second-highest overall after his triple-century against South Africa at home in 2005. Openers Gayle and Adrian Barath (50) put on 110, after Darren Sammy won the toss in his first Test as captain, the West Indies’ second century partnership for the opening wicket in the last four years. Former captain Gayle then consolidated his team’s position with a record 196-run stand for the second wicket with debutant Darren Bravo, who scored a solid 58.
Bravo reached his fifty when he drove Ajantha Mendis through the covers for a four. He hit six fours before being caught by Thilan Samaraweera at deep square-leg off Mendis while trying to pull.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2010.
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