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| | Monday, 1 July, 2002, 07:59 GMT 08:59 UK Gayle comes of age Gayle was mobbed by enthusiastic fans Chris Gayle confirmed his growing maturity as a Test match batsman as he made 204 against New Zealand in Grenada. The Jamaican left-hander hit two sixes and 29 fours, but it was his ability to choose the right ball to attack which stood out as the hallmark of his innings. In 22 previous Tests, Gayle has only reached three figures on one occasion, an innings of 175 against Zimbabwe last year. "I played a patient role and it paid off for me. I think they kept bowling outside off-stump wanting to lure me into making an error. I was determined not to fall into their trap. Gayle's innings earned the approval of new West Indies selector Gordon Greenidge, who scored more than 7,500 Test runs during his career, including 19 centuries. "He told me that this is what I should have done a long time ago. As an opening batsman you cannot get to to 60 and 70 and give your hand away.
"He emphasised I needed to carry on and get big scores, and I am going to take his advice to heart," said Gayle. The 22-year-old, whose innings was watched by a crowd of 10,000 at cricket's newest Test venue, admitted that inexperience had been the main reason for past failures. "I missed out on a number of opportunities to make big scores in previous matches, but it is time for me to make up for all that lost time and try not to look back, only forward. He added: "As time passes and you play more matches, you get to learn much more from playing and from the senior players in the team. "This, along with hard work, is what brings results in the end." Gayle is only the third Jamaican-born batsman to register a Test double century following Lawrence Rowe and Jimmy Adams - the island's most famous batsman, George Headley, was born in Panama. West Indies are only 21 runs ahead with just two days left, but Gayle is hopeful they can square the series. "To be honest, it will be difficult on that pitch, but we have the bowlers that can get the job done." | |
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