Associated Press

St John’s, May 2:

Opener Chris Gayle hit 184 and Ramnaresh Sarwan added a solid 103 not out on Sunday, taking the West Indies to 299 for one against South Africa in the final Test at Antigua Recreation Ground.

The West Indies, replying to South Africa’s 588 for six declared, recovered from the early loss of Wavell Hinds to dominate day three.

Gayle and Sarwan shared a number of records as they added 285 unbroken for the second wicket.

Gayle, in his 50th Test, reached his half century off 34 balls and his seventh Test hundred off 96 deliveries. He slowed toward the end of the day as he eyed his second career double century. The 25-year-old left-hander hit 26 fours and three sixes off 257 balls.

Sarwan emerged with successive sixes off Graeme Smith’s off-spin to move from 73 to 85. He soon reached his eighth century off 221 balls. He struck 10 fours and two sixes.

Both batsmen were dropped midway through the second session. Three balls later, at 115 for one, Gayle’s edge to Jacques Kallis’ first delivery was grassed by captain Graeme Smith to his right at first slip. Wicketkeeper Mark Boucher was equally at fault since it seemed close enough for him to claim the offering with Gayle on 80.