Gayle ecstatic with seventh hundred

Chris Gayle was in superb form after being in the field for two days © Getty Images

Chris Gayle's sensational hundred on the third day of the fourth Test against South Africa led the West Indian fightback, as he bounced back into form, and guided his team to 299 for 1 at stumps.

Gayle, who managed just 12 runs in his last four innings, dedicated his seventh Test hundred to his mother. "I dedicate this century to my mom though. She really asked me for this one and I gave it to her. I'm happy for her. I can't wait to see her as well," Gayle was quoted in The Jamaica Observer. "I didn't go with the intention to beat the bowling. We fielded for more than an hour and I was tired after that session. The momentum, I have to give the Lord thanks for that and it really took me through the entire day."

Gayle reached his hundred in 96 balls with 15 fours and three sixes. Being on the field for two days, Gayle pointed out the difficulty in opening the innings. "It was very difficult to go out there and bat after being in the field for two days. But I was positive and I played my natural game and things happened for me," he continued. "I thought it was a good wicket to bat on. You saw that the South Africans got four centuries when they batted. Hopefully we can score as many centuries as well."

Gayle was well-supported by Ramnaresh Sarwan, who brought up his eighth hundred, and were also involved in a record-breaking second-wicket partnership of 285 runs. "The way the South Africans batted motivated me. It was a good batting surface and I was really looking forward to batting on it," said Sarwan, who also scored his second hundred of the series. "I think the first hour is going to be important. That's our team goal."