ANTIGUA, 2 May 2005 — Chris Gayle mounted a furious onslaught on South Africa’s bowlers to speed the West Indies towards a daunting follow-on target on the third day of the fourth and final Test in St John’s yesterday.
West Indies, needing 388 to avoid being asked to bat again, reached 90 for one at lunch. Gayle reached his half-century off just 34 balls, hitting 10 fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 63. Ramnaresh Sarwan was 22 not out in an unbroken stand of 76.
South Africa, who lead the series 2-0, declared their first innings on 588 for six after scoring briskly in the morning session.
Jacques Kallis and Ashwell Prince took their record fifth-wicket stand to 267 before Kallis mistimed a pull shot off fast bowler Daren Powell and fell to a simple catch by Dwight Washington at mid-on. Kallis hit 147 off 287 balls with 14 fours and a six.
Three balls later Prince was caught behind by wicketkeeper Courtney Browne off medium pacer Dwayne Bravo for 131.
Mark Boucher was 11 not out with Shaun Pollock on 13 when the declaration came.
Gayle began his assault immediately by hitting Pollock for three fours in the first over of the innings.
The first was an edged drive through the slip cordon, the second was a sublime drive through the covers, and the third was a wild slash that flew over the slips. Fast bowler Makhaya Ntini struck with his first delivery when Wavell Hinds drove uppishly and Ntini hung on to a one-handed catch to dismiss the opener first ball.
The wicket did not interrupt Gayle’s flow of runs, and he stamped his authority by driving Pollock over extra cover for six before repeating the feat against Monde Zondeki.
