219 reasons to smile

Chris Gayle let his big bat do all the talking yesterday.
Dumped as captain of the West Indies, and having had his loyalty to the region and team questioned after taking a big overseas contract, the former West Indies captain showed just how much he cares.
The result was one of the best innings of his career.
The tall Jamaican left-hander produced all the shots in Galle,
Sri Lanka, his aggressiveness taking him to an impressive 219 not out in the first Test, allowing the Windies to have the early upper hand in the first Test against a side that won both Tests the last time they played in Sri Lanka.
Gayle’s shot-spiced double was decorated with 25 fours and eight sixes, as the Windies, on a placid pitch, reached 362 for two at the close, with Gayle earning solid support from Adrian Barath and Darren Bravo along the way.
Upon reaching the century mark, Gayle sank to the pitch, lying on his back with arms outstretched, and then sat in the middle to bask in the glory of his first ton achieved in the subcontinent.