Onus on West Indies spinners - Nash
Published:Tuesday | November 16, 2010 | 6:08 PM
Jamaican Brendan Nash, the West Indies vice captain, says taking early wickets will be the key for the team’s push for a win against hosts Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle.
Nash scored 64 and shared a record fourth-wicket partnership of 167 with triple century maker Chris Gayle to strengthen West Indies’ position.
Gayle, who was recently sacked as captain, hit 333 after resuming the day on 219 to lead West Indies to 580 for nine declared.
In reply, Sri Lanka were 54 for one at the close, Tillakaratne Dilshan the man out for a duck, caught Shane Shillingford off the bowling of Andre Russell.
Although West Indies are leading by 526 run, Nash says the bowlers have to bowl tight as Sri Lanka are used to scoring big runs.
Gayle has now joined Sir Don Bradman, Brian Lara and Virender Sehwag as the only players to score more than one triple ton.
He passed his previous best of 317, but fell to Ajantha Mendis after matching the 333 set by Graham Gooch in 1990.
The total is the highest away score by a West Indies batsman, eclipsing Sir Viv Richards' 291 against England at The Oval in 1976.
Mendis also had a highly successful day to end with six for 169, while Suraj Randiv supported with three for 183.