GALLE, Sri Lanka: Chris Gayle scored his second triple century in test cricket Tuesday, lifting himself and his team past several records, as the West Indies reached 532-3 at tea on day two of the first test against Sri Lanka.
Gayle remained unbeaten on 313 at tea, having faced 407 balls, hitting 32 fours and nine sixes.
It was the first triple-century by a West Indies player away from home, the highest by any player in tests between the two nations, and the first triple hundred at Galle International Stadium.
West Indies also went past its highest total against Sri Lanka" 477-9 declared in St. Lucia in 2003.
Gayle is also in the distinguished company of Donald Bradman of Australia, Brian Lara of the West Indies and Virender Sehwag of India to become only the fourth player to score two triple-hundreds.
Gayle is only four runs off his highest score of 317 set against South Africa.
The left-handed Jamaican was more sedate than his aggressive knock on the first day Monday. He survived a scare in the first ball of the day when Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara referred an lbw appeal to the television umpire Asad Rauf, who turned down the appeal. The hosts have spent both their referrals allowed under International Cricket Council rules.
Another drama unfolded in the second session when Gaylem, on 287, was surprised by a rising delivery from seamer Dammika Prasad and fended it to Sangakkara at short extra-cover who took an easy catch.
But non-striker Brenden Nash convinced Gayle to refer the decision to the third umpire, who ruled the batsmen not out because television replays showed the bowler had over-stepped for a no-ball.
Gayle drove powerfully through long off for a boundary to reach his triple century and knelt on the pitch holding his bat and helmet high in celebration.
Nash was unbeaten on 55 at the break and was involved in an unbroken 140-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
