When Gayle force strikes nobody within 110 metres of the bat is safe: not the fielders, nor the umpires, the batsman at the other end, the spectators, the photographers, journalists in the press boxes and, least of all, the poor bowlers.
When Gayle force strikes nobody within 110 metres of the bat is safe: not the fielders, nor the umpires, the batsman at the other end, the spectators, the photographers, journalists in the press boxes and, least of all, the poor bowlers.
Watching Chris Gayle score a blistering centuryu00a0-- the fifth highest in the history of the gameu00a0-- off just 70 balls at Perth's WACA, of which he is president, fast bowling great Dennis Lillee said people might be advised to wear helmets in the stands.
A fan reportedly said Simon Katich, who for the most part of Gayle's blitzkrieg was fielding at short leg, must have been wondering why he didn't take a cushy job on the frontline with the Iraqi police force.
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Chris Gayle dispatches one over mid-wicket during his whirlwind 102 against Australia yesterday. pic/Getty Images |
The West Indies captain, who the media and fans had lambasted before the series for lack of commitment, yesterday provided a fitting reply by leading from the front with a display which combined savage power with exquisite timing. It included nine fours and six sixes, one of which sailed 40 metres up and 110 metres from the batting crease.
Gayles' 100 took just one ball more than the 69 Shivnarine Chanderpaulu00a0-- yes the same notoriously stodgy Shivu00a0-- took on his home ground against Australia at Georgetown, Barbados in 2002-03.
Heading the list of the fastest Test 100 is 'Master Blaster' Viv Richards (56 balls), followed by Adam Gilchrist (57) and John Gregory (67), way back in 1921-22.
Regulars at the WACA rate Gayle's six yesterday off Nathan Hauritz on to the stadium roof the biggest seen at the ground alongside the one hit by Mark Waugh against New Zealand's Daniel Vettori in 1997-98.
A bigger six was in a Test in Napier where Gayle blasted New Zealand spinner Jeetan Patel 147 metres out of the ground from where it was never recovered.
Gayle said of yesterday's six at Perth: "I've hit balls further than that before. I don't think that one went too far to be honest with you.
"I just stroked it a bit, there wasn't muscle or anything, just timing, good bats, and you have to take that into consideration as well."
The captain with the showbiz demeanour prostrated on the ground as he completed his hundred.
Later he dedicated the century to the support of his team-mates through tough times and their efforts in the field on the first day when Australia piled on the runs.
