ST. JOHN'S, Antigua (AP):

CONFIDENT HALF centuries from Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Dwayne Bravo yesterday lifted the West Indies to 318 for six and a first innings lead of 77 at the close of the second day of the opening Digicel Test at the Antigua Recreation Ground.

India, resuming on 235 for nine, had been dismissed for 241 in the first 20 minutes of the day.

Gayle stroked 13 fours and a six in a top score of 72 to launch the home team's reply in positive fashion.

He added an important 119 for the second wicket with Sarwan, who scored a fluent 58.

Bravo, in terrific form at the moment, compiled an assured 68 which was spiced with 11 boundaries.

SURPRISE PACKAGE

India's bowling was led by veteran legspinner Anil Kumble, who claimed two for 85. But the surprise package came from Virender Sehwag, who contributed a vital, career-best two for 32 with his off-spin.

The inexperienced touring pace attack was disappointing with only Munaf Patel, who took two for 60, distinguishing himself.

Fidel Edwards wrapped up the Indian innings when he bowled Patel in the day's fifth over. The pace ace ended with two for 53.

India had early success when the West Indies launched their pursuit as Daren Ganga fell leg before wicket to Patel at 18 for one.

But Gayle, typically forthright, and Sarwan, as his solid ally, provided the West Indies with the advantage in a run-a-minute partnership.

The pair took lunch at 81 for one and were only separated midway through the second session as Kumble made his first impression.

Gayle faced 91 deliveries before he prodded forward and edged to first slip.

India quickly reaped another reward through Patel as captain Brian Lara perished after a cameo innings of 18 off 21 balls.

The record-breaking left-hander slashed to point after looking dangerous in lashing a six and two fours.

Sarwan, who brought up 4,000 Test runs when passing his half century, was leg before wicket the first ball after tea to Kumble. Sarwan struck nine fours in just under three hours.

At 182 for four, India were loosening the home team's grip.

BRAVO STALLED INDIAN ADVANCE

However Bravo, whose four wickets on day one inspired the West Indies, stalled the Indian advance with a fine innings which underlined the 22-year-old's self-belief at the moment.

He dominated a fifth wicket stand of 73 with Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who contributed a gritty 24.

Sehwag made his mark towards the end of the day by removing both Chanderpaul and Bravo.

Chanderpaul under-edged a cut and Bravo was swiftly stumped, both dismissals completed neatly by wicketkeeper Mahendra Dhoni.

The West Indies' lower order ensured they would end the day on top as Denesh Ramdin (22 not out) and Ian Bradshaw (15 not out) shared an unbroken stand of 36.

SCOREBOARD

India first innings

(Resumed at 235-9)

S. Sreesanth not out 29

M. Patel b Edwards 0

Extras: (lb8, w2, nb9) 19

TOTAL: (all out - 92.5 overs) 241

Fall: 10, 51, 72, 126, 155, 179, 180, 227, 231, 241.

Bowling: Fidel Edwards 18.5-3-53-2 (1nb, 1w), Ian Bradshaw 24-3-83-0 (7nb), Corey Collymore 17-7-27-3, Chris Gayle 4-0-6-0, Dwayne Bravo 22-9-40-4 (1nb, 1w), Dave Mohammed 7-1-24-1.

West Indies first innings

C. Gayle c Dravid b Kumble 72

D. Ganga lbw Patel 9

R. Sarwan lbw Kumble 58

B. Lara c Yuvraj Singh b Patel 18

S. Chanderpaul c Dhoni b Sehwag 24

D. Bravo st Dhoni b Sehwag 68

D. Ramdin not out 22

I. Bradshaw not out 15

Extras: (2b, 14lb, 1w, 15nb) 32

TOTAL: (for six wickets - 82 overs) 318

Fall: 18, 137, 159, 182, 255, 282.

Bowling: Shanthakumaran Sreesanth 13-1-82-0 (1w), Munaf Patel 21-5-60-2 (6nb), Vikram Singh 10-1-43-0 (2nb), Anil Kumble 26-5-85-2 (5nb), Virender Sehwag 12-2-32-2 (2nb).