The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Sobers' tips pay off for Chris Gayle

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 04, 2005

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Sport - Cricket

Sobers' tips pay off for Chris Gayle

ST. JOHN'S (Antigua): Opener Chris Gayle scored a magnificent career-best 317 as West Indies amassed 665 for six just before lunch on day five of the fourth Test against South Africa on Tuesday. Captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul was the sixth batsman out but not before joining in on the run-fest with the seventh century of the match, to follow the four scored by South Africa on this batting paradise. He was run out for 127 to a brilliant throw from the deep by Shaun Pollock.

Gayle's triple century, the 20th in Test history and first against South Africa, ensured the home team was just 23 behind on the first innings. But with only one day remaining, the Test was set for a tame draw in a series already won by South Africa.

Gayle, who started the day on 184 as the West Indies resumed at 299 for one, reached his second Test double century after about 30 minutes.

He reached 300 at the stroke of tea, when he nudged his 462nd delivery to the on-side.

Tired shot

The Jamaican left-hander, who had not passed double figures in four previous innings in this series, ended up smacking 37 fours and three sixes. He was eventually out to a predictably tired stroke a half-hour after tea, edging a catch to slip off South Africa's best bowler Monde Zondeki.

Gayle walked off to a rapturous ovation from the South African team, and a 6,000-strong crowd at the Antigua Recreation Ground.

His triple century was only the fifth by a West Indian, alongside Brian Lara (400 not out and 375, also at Antigua), Sir Gary (365 not out) and Lawrence Rowe (302).

He also passed Sir Don Bradman's 299 not out at Adelaide in 1932 as the highest score against South Africa.

Gayle admitted he had his sights on Lara's world record of 400 on a day when Lara fell cheaply.

``Yeah, definitely. I was looking to hopefully come tomorrow (Tuesday) and build on it and try to get as close as possible to 400 on the final day,'' Gayle said. ``It didn't happen but I'm thankful for what I got today.''

Gayle was dropped on 80 by Graeme Smith off Jacques Kallis on Sunday, and his main scare on Monday came when he attempted a reverse sweep at Nicky Boje's left-arm spin when on 281 and survived a confident leg-before appeal.

Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan stretched their second-wicket stand to 331 — the best ever partnership at Antigua — in the day's first hour before Zondeki livened up the morning session with the prize scalps of Sarwan and Lara.

Sarwan, 103 overnight, scored 127 before he drove to cover where Ashwell Prince snapped up a low catch. Sarwan hit 14 fours and two sixes off 279 balls in six hours and 25 minutes. Lara took 21 balls to get off the mark and fell for just four as he steered a catch to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher.

But Gayle was joined by Chanderpaul, and the pair continued to make best use of the perfect batting conditions to put up 149 for the fourth wicket.

Zondeki claimed Gayle after tea and Smith's lengthy spell of off-spin was rewarded with the wicket of Narsingh Deonarine (4).

But Gayle's performance eclipsed all else on another tough day for bowlers at the Antigua Recreation Ground.

Chris Gayle admitted that advice from West Indies cricket legend Sir Garfield Sobers played a major role in his epic triple hundred.

``I have been working hard with Sir Garfield (Sobers) in the nets and it really paid off in this match,'' said Gayle.

``He has talked a lot to us about keeping our balance when playing strokes and giving momentum to our innings.

``We spent a long time in the indoor nets in Barbados — Wavell Hinds, Sir Garfield, and myself — and we talked about a lot of things, and I was fortunate that it paid off for me in this innings.''

Under pressure

In his four previous innings in the series, Gayle had scores of six, one, zero, and five, and he admitted to being under pressure.

``After playing the previous two Tests and not scoring any significant runs, there was obviously pressure for me to deliver,'' he conceded.

``I told myself that I would have to dig deep in this Test, and cash in on this pitch. I always wanted a start. It happened in this match and, hopefully, I can now carry on from here, and get a few more big scores like this.''

Gayle disclosed that the fatigue factor had slowly crept up on him during his innings.

``I was really tired coming towards the end of my innings,'' he said.

``We had spent a little over two days in the field, and it was very challenging having to come out to bat about an hour before lunch on Sunday. But I had to pull myself together to get the job done.

``The increased amount of bowling I have been doing has also contributed to me getting tired, but I will have to pace myself. I do not want to do too much and overdo it.'' — Agencies

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