Australia must defy more than 100 years of history to defeat the West Indies in the second Test after Caribbean captain Chris Gayle proved their stumbling block on day four at Adelaide Oval.

Despite overcast skies, a deteriorating pitch and a ball that reverse swung for large parts of the day, habitual dasher Gayle (155no) held his ground and took the visitors to 8-284 and a lead of 296.

No other West Indian batsman passed 27, making Gayle’s effort pivotal in ensuring the home side must chase a target not achieved in 100 years of Test cricket at the oval.

Australian efforts to restrict the West Indies were frustrated by their strained relationship with the decision referral system, wasting their two challenges inside the first hour then being powerless to question several calls in the afternoon.

Doug Bollinger (2-36) swung the ball both ways but was charged with dissent by match referee Chris Broad for kicking the turf in a display of frustration when an lbw appeal against Brendan Nash was declined.

Mitchell Johnson (4-85) proved a dangerous opponent late, claiming three wickets.

He also fired a painful yorker into the right boot of Sulieman Benn, the visitors’ left-arm spinner who’ll need to play a central role on day five.

West Indies coach David Williams, in the unfamiliar position of pondering whether or not Gayle should declare overnight, was convinced the Australians would try to fight their way out of a hole they cannot have expected when this match began.

“I think they will (go for the win), they’re 1-0 up, Ricky Ponting’s going to have a lot to to think about whether they’re going to risk losing this game,” he said.

“I think it is enough runs, that is my personal view, but discussion must take place with the captain and senior players then we take it from there.

“It’s very difficult scoring on the track and it was evident the way Chris played, he doesn’t normally play like that, but he had to conserve his natural flair and try to stick around.

“We know for a fact the Australians don’t like to be under pressure.”
A day of frustration for the Australians began as early as the second over, when a unanimous appeal for caught behind against Adrian Barath was correctly knocked back both by Asad Rauf and by television umpire Bruce Oxenford on appeal.

Their last remaining challenge was frittered away by Ricky Ponting on the wrong hunch that Gayle had feathered a legside catch to Brad Haddin.

Hot spot confirmed ball touched pad rather than bat, leaving Australia with no more challenges for the rest of the innings.

Barath’s dismissal also required the assistance of television, as he was given out seemingly on faith – no clear deflection was noticeable – that Nathan Hauritz had touched a Gayle drive back on to the stumps with the batsman well out.

Nash hung around to help Gayle build the total before he was eventually yorked by Shane Watson, but Dwayne Bravo also offered support after tea.

All the batsmen were playing auxiliary roles to their captain Gayle, who played an innings of real quality and a maturity not previously seen in three impulsive Test innings so far on tour.

He lost Bravo, Dinesh Ramdin and Benn late in the day as Johnson reversed the ball away from probing bats in fading light, but Gayle stood fast.

SCORE – West Indies advanced from their overnight 0-23 to 8-284, a lead of 296 over Australia with one day’s play remaining.

MAN OF THE MOMENT – Chris Gayle. The West Indies captain denied his instinctive urges to belt every ball while compiling a composed, mature unbeaten 155 to ensure a testing last day chase for Australia. That no one else passed 27 put the innings in firm perspective.

KEY MOMENT – Ricky Ponting used Australia’s second and last decision referral to inquire about a Gayle legside flick that came from pad rather than bat. It was a wasted challenge that could have been quite handy later in the day for various appeals.

STAT OF THE DAY – Gayle’s undefeated 155 made up 55 per cent of the West Indies’ total.

QUOTE OF THE DAY – “We know for a fact the Australians don’t like to be under pressure.” – Windies coach David Williams is bullish about his side’s chances.

SUMMARY – Gayle stood between Australia and a far less taxing target. His innings has set-up a tantalising final day of an engrossing Test match that deserves a grand finish.

© AAP 2012

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