After lashing the South African attack mercilessly en route to scoring the ninth quickest Test century, West Indian Chris Gayle insisted that the four match Test series against South Africa was still alive.
Gayle needed just 79 balls to reach his ton as the West Indies made a bold attempt to chase down the hosts’ first innings tally of 532, ending the second day of the third Test at Newlands on Saturday with 178 for one.
By amassing such a huge total though, South Africa went some distance in batting the Windies out of the match and, by extension, the series.
”It’s not over yet,” said Gayle when asked whether the Windies could save the series in which they trail 2-0. ”We’ll see what happens tomorrow.” Gayle ended the day on 112 from 105 balls after passing a late fitness test.
The left hander strained his hamstring in the first Test at the Wanderers and did not appear to move freely when batting.
He did not really have to though, smashing 20 fours and a six as the South Africans bowled a glut of long hops.
”When I was batting I didn’t even think of the hamstring,” said Gayle. ”It just sort of flowed when I got out there.”
South African wicket keeper Mark Boucher, who top scored with an undefeated 122, said he had never witnessed a knock like Gayle’s in a home Test.
”It’s not what you expect to happen in Test cricket,” added Boucher. ”We bowled too short but hopefully we’ll get it in the right area tomorrow.
”All credit to Chris Gayle though. You don’t often see a knock like that.” – Sapa