GALLE, Sri Lanka: 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 Monday. He hammered eight sixes and 26 fours in his 247-ball 219 not out for his 13th three-figure knock in Tests, and his first 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. 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. The West Indies' previous best for the second wicket against Sri Lanka was 134 between Dwayne Bravo and Ramnaresh Sarwan in Guyana in 2008. 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 its first Test series after the retirement of match-winning spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, struggled for success as it could grab just two wickets in three sessions. Off-spinner Muralitharan quit Test cricket in July with a world-record 800 wickets and his replacement Suraj Randiv has rarely put pressure on the West Indies. 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. Gayle dominated the Sri Lankan attack with a wide range of attacking strokes and completed his century in the afternoon when he hoisted Randiv over long-off for the second six in the over. He reached his third Test double-century with a single off Mendis. Gayle started cautiously in the morning before playing attractive shots on both sides of the wicket, hitting three fours in an over from left-arm seamer Thushara. – Agence France
