Audley Boyd, Assistant Sport Editor
WEST INDIES opener Chris Gayle had a 'special' moment in yesterday's first one-day international of the five-match series against India at Sabina Park - registering his first ODI ton in front his countrymen.
"It was my first one-day international century at home, it's very pleasing. It's a start, hopefully there's many more to come. I'm really pleased with that," the 26-year-old Jamaican told reporters at a post-match press conference after racking up 123 off 131 balls.
"It was a good innings. Based on my innings against the India team from the (away) series in India. I'm just continuing from thereon.
"I was playing (against) Zimbabwe, having some ups and downs in the series and I was looking forward to this game against India. It is a good start, hopefully I can go on from strength to strength," he said.
EXCITING MATCH
His innings, which included 18 fours and two sixes, formed the base of the Windies' challenging total of 251 for six in an exciting match that was reduced to a 45-over-a-side contest owing to heavy overnight and morning showers.
India won the match when Mohammed Kaif (66), dropped by West Indies skipper Brian Lara and Fidel Edwards, hit a boundary off the penultimate ball to take the visitors to 254 for five.
A big left-hander, Gayle had accumulated totals of 35, 49, 95 not out and 11 in the preceding series against Zimbabwe and slowed down as he approached his 12th ODI century. Gayle said it was deliberate.
"My highest score was 95 not out against Zimbabwe, so I decided to put this one in the bag and eventually it paid off."
He was dismissed to a catch by Indian skipper Rahul Dravid - the match's second century-maker - at short mid-wicket.
The second one-day international will be played tomorrow at the same venue.
