Gayle storm at Sabina

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

An outstanding century from opener Chris Gayle yesterday carried the West Indies to a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the opening match of the Celkon Mobile Tri-Nation One-Day International Series at Sabina Park.

Gayle slammed 109 in the West Indies' total of 209 for four off 37.5 over in pursuit of a modest 208 made by Sri Lanka of 48.3 overs.

With victory achieved inside 40 overs, the West Indies gained a bonus point, which could prove pivotal towards the end of the first round of the series, which also includes India.

In what was his second century in as many matches at the venue following his knock of 125 in a one-dayer against New Zealand last summer, Gayle smashed seven huge sixes and nine fours off 100 balls.

The big left-hander who was declared Man of the Match at the end, also shared in an invaluable 115 opening stand with opening partner Johnson Charles, who played the anchor role in compiling 29 off 58 balls.

Marlon Samuels, 15 and captain Dwayne Bravo, eight, were the batsmen at the wicket when victory was achieved.Darren Bravo, 27, and Kieron Pollard, zero off four balls, were dismissed with the West Indies needing 19 and 15 runs respectively to win.

"With the series set to be a competitive one it is the type of start that we wanted," said Dwayne Bravo.

"We had a good run in the field with Sunil Narine and Ravi Rampaul doing well with the ball, and Gayle coming good with the bat.

"We now hope to at least repeat this performance on Sunday against India, which would put us half way through to the final."

The day started with Sri Lanka losing the toss and asked take first strike. A solid opening partnership of 62 from the experienced duo of former captain Mahela Jayawardene and Upul Tharanga gave them a good foundation. The visitor's, however, lost their way after Tharanga was caught by wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin off the bowling of Dwayne Bravo.

Jayawardene hit a run-a-ball 52, while Tharanga, who was recalled for the series, made 25 off 43 balls.

Captain Angelo Matthews held the middle to lower order together for some time before running out of partners and was left not out on a topscore 55 off 77 balls.

Narine, whose off-spin and mystery deliveries proved difficult, finished with four for 40 off his maximum 10 overs, while Rampaul, ended with three for 38, also in ten overs.

"It was an important toss as the wicket was two-paced and held up a bit, albeit it flattened out towards the end," said Matthews.

"We had to try adapt, but we lost wickets and could not get going.

"But credit to Gayle, he got going, and when he gets going, no bowling attack is good enough, and no ground big enough."

The series will continue tomorrow at Sabina Park with the West Indies facing India.

On Tuesday Sri Lanka are scheduled to meet India.

The series will thereafter move to Queen's Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago for its second leg, which will see the teams playing return leg-matches.

The winners and runners-up at the end of the return matches will then face-off in the final which is also set for Queen's Park Oval.

SCOREBOARD

Sri Lanka

W. Tharanga c Ramdin b DJ Bravo 25D. Jayawardene c Ramdin b Narine 52K. Sangakkara c Pollard b Narine 17L. Chandimal c DJ Bravo b Samuels 21A. Mathews not out 55H. Thirimanne c Charles b Rampaul 6K. Kulasekara c Pollard b Rampaul 2B. Mendis c Samuel b Narine 5H. Herath c Sammy b Rampaul 4S. Malinga lbw b Narine 8B.A. Mendis c Charles b DJ Bravo 2Extra (b5,lb2, w4) 11Total (10 wkts,48.3 overs) 208

Fall of wickets: 1-62, 2-85, 3-104, 4-140, 5-151, 6-159, 7-176, 8-190, 9-205, 10-208.Bowling Roach 7-1-41-0, Rampaul 10-0-38-3, Sammy 10-0-34-0, Bravo 7.3-0-37-2, Narine 10-0-40-4, Samuels 4-1-11-1.

West Indies

C. Gayle c Chandimal b BA Mendis 109J. Charles c Jayawardene b Herath 29D.M. Bravo run out (Malinga/kulasekara) 27M. Samuels not out 15K. Pollard lbw b Kulasekara 0D.J. Bravo not out 8Extras (b4, lb7,w10) 21Total: ( 4 wkts, 37.5 overs) 209

Fall of wickets 1-115 (Charles, 20.2 ov), 2-181 (Gayle, 30.6 ov), 3-190 (DM Bravo, 31.4 ov), 4-193 (Pollard, 33.4 ov)

Did not bat: D Ramdin, D Sammy, S Narine, R Rampaul, KJ Roach

Bowling: Malinga 7-0-34-0, Kulasekara 8-1-39-1, BA Mendis 10-0-53-1, A. Mathews 5-0-28-0, H Herath 6-0-37-1, BM Mendis 1.5-1-7-0.

Results: West Indies won by six wickets.

Points: West Indies 5, Sri Lanka 0

Player of the match: Chris Gayle

Toss: West Indies

Umpires: I J Gould, JS Wilson