Gayle falls to first ball in third Sri Lanka Test

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka: The West Indies lost Chris Gayle off the first ball before reaching 45-1 at lunch on the opening day of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

The first Test at the Pallekele International Stadium started on a sensational note when paceman Suranga Lakmal trapped former captain Gayle leg-before with his first delivery after the tourists had been put in to bat.

It was a big blow to the West Indies as Gayle began the three-Test series with an explosive 333 in the opening match. The series is tied 0-0 following rain-hit drawn matches in Colombo and Galle.

Opener Devon Smith (20 not out) and Darren Bravo (23 not out) denied the hosts further success with an unfinished 45-run stand for the second wicket.

Sri Lanka made one change from the side that played in the second Test, bringing in paceman Dilhara Fernando in place of Nuwan Kulasekara.

The West Indies replaced opener Adrian Barath and off-spinner Shane Shillingford with Smith and Nelon Pascal.

The start of the play was delayed for one hour 40 minutes due to a wet outfield.

The West Indies have lost five and drawn three of their eight Tests in Sri Lanka.