Gayle breaks ton drought to keep WI alive

---

NAPIER, Dec 22 (Cricinfo): The captain Chris Gayle scored his first hundred in three years as West Indies meandered to a 214-run lead with a day to play in the deciding Test of the series. Gayle mixed flamboyance with patience in his 146 not out from 325 balls, which included 13 fours and six sixes, as the visitors finished at 278 for 7, a total which keeps both teams in with a chance.
Gayle was outstanding with his shot selection and judgment, keeping out the testing deliveries from both finger spinners and launching some lusty blows into the stands on the legside. This was his first Test hundred since scoring 317 against South Africa in 2005, an amazing 25 Tests and 47 innings ago.
Gayle combined in a vital 124-run stand with Brendan Nash for the fifth wicket that lifted the team from the danger of 106 for 4 midway through the first session. However, Gayle was unable to find another suitable ally to build the innings around and his tactics changed during the final session. He was forced to curb his natural flair and opt instead for caution in order to ensure his side made it through to stumps.
In the second session Gayle reached his eighth Test hundred with a nervous single to backward point after he spent 40 balls in the 90s. Pushing to Jeetan Patel, he called yes before Nash sent him back. However, Gayle slipped on the pitch just before Patel got to the ball, but the fielder fumbled and Gayle was able to waltz through to complete his century from 189 deliveries.
Nash built on his well-compiled 74 in the first innings with an equally important 65. While his captain scored predominantly straight down the ground, Nash pushed and prodded square of the wicket, making life difficult for the New Zealand attack to adjust to each batsman.
After leaving so consistently outside his off stump, Nash was gifted width on numerous occasions and made the hosts pay by punishing them through point. He also worked off his pads nicely, collecting at will as well as picking up a couple of boundaries. He brought up his fifty off 137 balls with a sweetly timed cover drive off Patel, the most successful bowler.
Nash fought hard through to tea but shortly after the resumption New Zealand took the new ball and James Franklin was brought into the attack.
West Indies 307 and 278 for 7 (Gayle 146*, Nash 65, Patel 3-83) lead New Zealand 371 by 214 runs