PERTH, Australia, CMC – West Indies captain Chris Gayle has praised his side’s effort in defeat even as he expressed sadness over losing 0-2 in the three-match Test series against Australia yesterday.
The Australians smothered a threatening bid by West Indies to record an upset win and triumphed by 35 runs on the fifth day of the third and final Test against Australia.
“I’m really happy for the guys and the way they played but very disappointed as well,” Gayle said moments after the Australians earned a hard fought victory with a contentious last-wicket decision at the WACA.
“Congrats to Ricky and his team, you guys played better cricket,” Gayle said in the post-match ceremony.
Australia had taken the lead in the series after crushing West Indies – in spite of hundred by debutant Adrian Barath — by an innings and 65 runs in the opening Test in Brisbane and retained the Frank Worrell Trophy following the drawn second Test in Adelaide where West Indies held the upper hand.
Young players Barath, 19, and pacer Kemar Roach, 21, emerged from the series as new, promising talent from West Indies and Gayle, who was the third Test man of the match for his terrific first innings hundred (102) here, applauded their contribution to the team.
“I want to commend Adrian Barath on his first hundred, Kemar Roach did really well as well, Kemar was brilliant,” said Gayle, who also copped the man of the series award.
The big Jamaican also pointed to other positives in the series.
“Ravi Rampaul and Gavin Tonge made their debut, and Narsingh Deonarine came into this first Test match on tour and stepped up. These are some positives, but we were up against a good team and at the end of the day they played better cricket,” he said.
Gayle stroked a masterful 165, carrying his bat in the Adelaide Test and expressed joy over his personal accomplishment. “I’m happy to actually get two centuries. It’s a personal milestone and I always wanted a century against Australia. I’m really happy for that,” he said.
