Chris Gayle’s monumental second innings unbeaten century in the second Test at Adelaide is routinely described in the broadcast and printed media as “out of character”.

In fact, previous Test centuries over the last 12 months by the big lefthander — against England at Sabina Park and Queens Park Oval early this year and before then, against New Zealand in that country — were in the exact same mold.

The evidence suggests that Gayle now 30 years old has matured much as the great Clive Lloyd did at round about the same age or slightly older in the mid-70s. Also, like it was for Lloyd, captaincy appears to be a tonic for Gayle the batsman.

All that said, I think it is worthwhile to recall that this patient approach to batting, is exactly the thing Gayle utilised when he first made a name for himself in the Jamaica team at the turn of the decade.

Under the supervision of then Jamaica coach Robert Haynes, Gayle really captured the attention of the selectors in the 2000 first class season, scoring 623 runs for an average of 56.63. Keen cricket watchers will recall that there was nothing cavalier or “slam, bang” about his batting then. Rather he showed considerable capacity to concentrate, bat for long periods and to play selectively. Also — and this may surprise some people — back then Gayle at first-class level did not hit the ball in the air a lot.

Among the factors going for him was his great power off his preferred back foot. Against attacking fields at the start of an innings especially, that power allowed him to claim boundaries more easily than most others without having to take undue risks. His high boundary count built for him a reputation as a dasher. Inevitably that led to early comparisons with Lloyd.

Limited Overs’ cricket and the requirement to clear the infield regularly in the first 15 overs would eventually transform Gayle into one of the leading six hitters in the game.

His major weakness as a youngster — continuing to this day — was leaden-footedness which caused horrendous problems against the swinging ball. It’s a matter of record that the great Sri Lankan medium pacer Chaminda Vaas became his chief tormentor.

Unlike a few other top-flight openers, Gayle is comfortable against spin. That’s one reason — separate and apart from his established weakness against swing — for my belief that he should eventually bat in the middle order. I look forward to that day.

Can the West Indies shock Australia at Perth? You would think that they would have to be at full strength. So the news that Shivnarine Chanderpaul may not be fit because of the finger injury sustained at Adelaide is disappointing indeed.

Then again Chanderpaul’s obvious replacement Travis Dowlin showed guts and fair ability in the first Test at Brisbane when he had to stand in for Ramnaresh Sarwan.

Should Sarwan overcome his known weakness on fast, bouncy surfaces such as will be on show over the next few days and Gayle, Brendan Nash, Dwayne Bravo and Adrian Barath sustain their form, all things can be made possible.

Hopefully, the tour selectors will give Gavin Tonge his chance. The big Antiguan does not have the express pace of Kemar Roach but at Perth he is certain to get bounce. If he is able to maintain good consistent lines at three-quarter length, Tonge could surprise Ricky Ponting and company.