First blood

KINGSTON – An explosive 21st One-Day International (ODI) hundred from Chris Gayle followed up steady bowling led by Sunil Narine to propel West Indies to a six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the Celkon Mobile Cup Series here yesterday.
All but 31 of Gayle’s 109 were in boundaries, as West Indies successfully chased 209 for victory in the opening match of the three-nation series at Sabina Park.
Gayle treated scores of his compatriots to a typically destructive innings, catapulting West Indies over the finish line with 73 deliveries remaining and making him a shoo-in for the Man-Of-The-Match award.
He reached his milestone from 89 balls, when he played a full-length delivery from Lasith Malinga to mid-off and scampered a single. (JG)