18 Dec 2009

Gayle century gives Widnies a fighting chance

6:20 am on 18 December 2009

Australia effectively batted their way into an unbeatable position on day two of the third and deciding cricket test against the West Indies, but the West Indies captain Chris Gayle was the star of the day.

After Australia declared at 520 for 7, Gayle bludgeoned the fifth fastest century in test cricket, off just 70 balls, as the West Indies went to stumps on 214 for 2.

Gayle's 102 included nine fours and six sixes, one of them hit onto the roof of the 3-tier Lillee Marsh stand, a distance of 110 metres.

After the action-packed day, the Australians Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson and the West Indian Sulieman Benn were charged with bringing the game into disrepute after a series of ugly, physical exchanges. Haddin is believed to have pleaded guilty to the charge.