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Pulling power: Chris Gayle - Source: Getty Images -
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A ton of Chris Gayle defiance gifted West Indies an edge before
late Australian strikes returned the second Test to the
balance.
The Windies were 8-284 at stumps on day four at Adelaide Oval, an
overall lead of 296 runs.
Captain Gayle's resolute unbeaten 155 afforded his side control
until Mitchell Johnson (4-85) collected three wickets and Doug
Bollinger (2-36) another late in the day.
The late wicket flurry raised Australian hopes of an achievable
last day run chase after Gayle batted throughout Monday in a
measured knock which went against his natural flamboyant
grain.
The controlled batting of the Windies skipper contrasted with his
exuberance on reaching his 11th Test century, and first against
Australia.
The laconic lefthander jumped into the air and pumped his fist
skyward to mark his milestone before a joyful jig and further bat
pumping rounded his celebration.
Gayle, who battled forearm cramp in the latter stages of his gritty
performance, dominated without any substantial support.
His opening partner Adrian Barath (17), Shivnarine Chanderpaul
(27), Brendan Nash (24) and Dwayne Bravo (22) all failed to
capitalise once set.
Barath was unfortunately run out when Gayle powered a straight
drive from Nathan Hauritz which clipped the spinner's finger en
route to crashing into the bowler's end stumps - the teenage
batsman had barely turned to return to his crease on impact.
Johnson claimed a struggling Ramnaresh Sarwan (seven) with a rising
short ball which the West Indian gloved to 'keeper Brad Haddin,
before Chanderpaul added 72 runs with his skipper until falling lbw
to Bollinger.
The left-arm quick was later responsible for a melodramatic moment
when an emphatic lbw shout against Nash was refused.
Nash didn't offer a shot to an in-dipper which appeared destined
for the stumps but was given not out, prompting Bollinger to
theatrically kick the turf in anger.
Nash's wicket ultimately went to medium pacer Watson, the
lefthander missing an inswinger which brushed leg stump and removed
a solitary bail.
First innings centurion Bravo looked comfortable until slashing an
edge from Johnson's bowling to Nathan Hauritz at gully and two
balls later the fast bowler clean bowled Denesh Ramdin for a duck
with a searing swinger.
Bollinger soon had allrounder Darren Sammy (10) caught by captain
Ricky Ponting at second slip and Johnson struck again in the last
over of the day by dismissing Sulieman Benn (five).
Australia's bowling efforts were hampered by hamstring tightness to
seamer Peter Siddle, who hobbled through eight wicketless overs for
the day.
