Chris Gayle gets Injured

West Indies’ hopes of securing the draw that will give them their first series victory since 2004 suffered a devastating blow midway through the afternoon session on the third day in Trinidad, when their captain, Chris Gayle was forced to retire hurt with a torn right hamstring, which he sustained while running a sharp single to bring up his 10th Test century. By tea, Shivnarine Chanderpaul – himself struggling with a groin twinge – and Brendan Nash had regrouped well in a solid fifth-wicket stand of 48, but at 251 for 4, West Indies still trailed England’s first innings by 295 runs. 

Gayle’s injury occurred in a hectic passage of play which began with a casual clip off the pads from Stuart Broad. Owais Shah at midwicket misfielded badly, and Gayle, on 99, attempted to take advantage. Within seconds he knew he had made a bad error of judgement and had the subsequent shy hit the stumps, it would have beaten his stretch for the crease by a matter of inches. But though he survived, his celebrations were muted in the extreme, as he slumped to his knees and beckoned for help. After lengthy treatment on the outfield he was helped back to the pavilion, having led from the front with 10 fours and two sixes in a 161-ball innings.

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