Chris Gayle ... to square the series is tremendous. - File

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

West Indies captain Chris Gayle expressed relief after the regional side avoided their first Test series whitewash in the Caribbean yesterday.

After losing the first Test to Sri Lanka by 121 runs, West Indies bounced back to win by six wickets on the fourth day of the second Digicel Test at the Queen's Park Oval.

"I am very relieved because I know you guys would have pressured me even more," Gayle told reporters.

"It has taken a bit off my shoulders. I have to give credit to the guys for the way they handled themselves. Having lost the first Test match, we really came back strong.

"It was something that we spoke about. It was a must-win for us and to square the series is tremendous."

West Indies, set 253 to win on a pitch which was not the easiest to bat on throughout the match, benefited from a fourth wicket partnership of 157 between Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul to win just after 4 p.m. on the penultimate day.

After Sarwan hit 102 and Chanderpaul weighed in with an unbeaten 86, they earned the praises of their captain.

"It was tremendous. They are two experienced guys and I am happy to see these two guys among the runs," Gayle said.

"Sars has been in terrific form, getting two half centuries in the first Test. He got another half century in the first innings. We spoke about these things - getting three starts and needing to capitalise. He capitalised at the right time.

A tremendous player

"Shiv is a very experienced player. We know how tremendous he is. He had not been getting among the runs. To step up at this point in time, you have to give credit to him."

Gayle also lauded the efforts of the entire team after significant contributions from fast bowlers Jerome Taylor and Fidel Edwards, and useful knocks in the first innings from debutant Sewnarine Chattergoon and Devon Smith.

"Before the game, we spoke about how important this game is. All the guys were asked for a bit of extra effort and to just dig a bit deeper," Gayle said.

"The guys came along to the party. It was a good all-round performance as a team. It is something we have to continue and work as a unit," Gayle said.