GALLE: Chris Gayle put Sri Lanka’s attack to the sword with an explosive double-century as the West Indies posted a huge 362-2 on the opening day of the first Test on Monday.
He hammered eight sixes and 26 fours in his 247-ball 219 not out for his third 200-plus knock in Tests, and his first century in the sub-continent, as the tourists made the most of winning the toss on a good batting pitch.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul was unbeaten on 20 at the stumps.
Gayle’s score was also his best in an away Test, 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.
Gayle, who smashed the maximum sixes by a West Indies batsman in a Test innings, said he would like to surpass his career-best score of 317.
“I’d love that. That will be another milestone. The wicket is still good to bat on and if we can get past the first hour on Tuesday, anything is possible,” said Gayle.
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 skipper 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.
Darren Bravo reached his fifty when he drove unorthodox spinner 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.
Sri Lanka, playing their first Test series after the retirement of match-winning spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, struggled for success and grabbed just two wickets in three sessions.
Randiv removed young Barath in the morning session, but conceded 144 runs in his 32 overs. Mendis finished the day with 1-90 off 29 overs. Sri Lankan seamers Thilan Thushara and Dammika Prasad also failed to test the West Indies as Gayle, Barath and Bravo gathered runs comfortably to put their team on course for a big total.
