Gayle blows Zimbabwe in Test

Marcus Prior

A blistering maiden Test century from Chris Gayle put the West Indies in total control of the first Test against Zimbabwe on Friday.

Gayle struck 175 as the West Indies closed the second day on 393 for three in reply to Zimbabwe's first innings 155 all out, a lead of 238.

Gayle and opening partner Daren Ganga put on 214, a record for the first wicket in all Tests at the Queen's Sports Club.

The tall left-hander has now scored 697 runs in his last three matches -- his 175 following on from an unbeaten innings of 259 against a President's XI and then 164 and 99 against Zimbabwe A last weekend.

It was wonderful exhibition of strokeplay from Gayle, although not without a touch of controversy shortly before he reached his hundred.

On 96 he played loosely at Heath Streak and the Zimbabweans were convinced the ball took the edge, but umpire Riazuddin remained unmoved.

Gayle carved Streak through gulley for four on the next delivery and the century was his.

Streak eventually got his man when Gayle lofted him tamely to mid-on half an hour after tea. He was at the crease for a little over six and a half hours, facing 255 balls and striking 35 fours.

Ganga played the supporting role superbly until he drove at left-arm spinner Raymond Price and was caught and bowled. He scored a career-best 89 in a little under five and half hours, faced 248 balls and struck 11 boundaries.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul (7) fell to the second ball after tea, flicking captain Streak to Guy Whittall at square leg.

Chanderpaul was the only man to miss out on a sublime batting track, as captain Carl Hooper (66 not out) and Ramnaresh Sarwan (47 not out) forced Zimbabwe to contemplate the prospect of another long day in the field, the pair cutting loose with a series of boundaries towards the close.

The two right handers stroked the ball around in contrast to the bludgeoning of Gayle, adding 104 runs in an unbeaten stand for the fourth wicket.

Resuming on 100 without loss overnight, Gayle and Ganga worked through a closely contested morning session, Gayle going into lunch on 96, and Ganga on 71.

The Zimbabwean bowlers worked hard and intelligently as only 23 runs came in the first hour, Bryan Strang conceding just nine runs from his eight overs and Streak marginally less economical, giving away 13 runs from six overs.

Mail Cricket Editor