PERTH, Australia, 17, CMC – West Indies captain Chris Gayle said Thursday he was maturing as a leader and a batsman, following his breathtaking century against Australia on the second day of the third Test at the WACA.
The left-handed opener, who plundered 102 from just 70 balls to record the fifth fastest Test century ever, said his development had come as a result of the responsibility of the captaincy and the tremendous support he had received from his teammates.
“The support is really there from the players and all the members of the team and that kind of helped lift me a bit more as a person and as a leader as well. We have a very good team spirit and everyone is supporting each other,” Gayle said after his ferocious assault on the Australia bowlers.
“I praise my team-mates, each and every one. There has been speculation published and so forth and I have the support of them. I really acknowledge and respect that. Being captain, I think it changed me a bit more and also you have to take into consideration I’m getting a bit more mature as well [and] getting to know my game a bit more.
“With every game you learn more about yourself and about your game. I am still learning as a captain and we are learning as a team, but the good thing is that we are playing together and I have the support of everyone.”
Gayle smashed an amazing nine fours and six sixes – the fifth of which sailed onto the roof of the Lillee-Marsh Stand off bemused off-spinner Nathan Hauritz to be the largest hit ever seen at the ground. He bettered Roy Fredericks’ 71-ball feat 34-years ago at the same ground and just missed out on breaking Shiv Chanderpaul’s 69-ball achievement against the Aussies in 2003.
The incomparable Sir Vivian Richards currently holds the record for the fastest-ever Test century, a blistering 56-ball knock against England in Antigua 23 years ago.
Gayle, who has now scored centuries in successive Tests following his unbeaten 165 in Adelaide, said he had not planned to go after the Aussie bowling but had simply played his natural game.
“I think the start that I got out there actually allowed things to just flow naturally and when you get an easy scoring opportunity early up [you take it]. That kind of set the trend for us,” Gayle noted.
He dominated an opening stand of 136 with Travis Dowlin who carved out 55 from 116 balls with nine fours. It was Dowlin’s second half-century in three innings on tour and it drew Gayle’s praise.
“Travis played very, very well and I’m extremely pleased with the way he batted. He is a calm man and a confident player,” Gayle said. “I know he was disappointed that he did not go on and stay to the end of the day’s play, but he played well and must be congratulated.”
At the close, West Indies were making a strong reply to Australia’s mammoth 520 for seven declared, reaching 214 for two.
