NAPIER, New Zealand (CMC):

West Indies captain Chris Gayle admitted adjusting his natural attacking style when Shivnarine Chanderpaul was dismissed cheaply, while batting on the fourth day of the second Test yesterday.

Gayle stroked a magnificent 146 not out to steer the Caribbean side to 278 for seven at stumps in the second innings, for an overall lead of 214 at McLean Park.

Gayle is usually an attacking batsman, but changed his natural style during a tense match-saving bid after they had slipped to 106 for four before lunch when batting ace Chanderpaul was dislodged for a first-ball duck.

"I had to make the adjustment from my natural attacking game. The team required it. One thing I am delighted about is that I played the patient role, making them (New Zealand) come to me as much as possible," he said.

The Black Caps still appear to hold a safer position in the game, but the big Jamaican is looking for more runs with a plan to reverse the trend for the Windies on the final day (last night Caribbean time), who have been on the back foot for most of the match.

"We would probably look first, for another 50 runs and build from that," Gayle said.

"We have the runs on the board and when it comes our time to bowl in the second innings we will be looking to knock over a few (batsmen) early and attack from there," added the 29-year-old left-hander, whose courageous innings helped loosen the firm grip the New Zealanders had on the game during most of yesterday's day four.

He led by example to set up what promises to be a thrilling final day of this two-match series.

The first match was affected by rain and ended in a draw.

Gayle batted the entire day for his eighth Test hundred and has so far faced 325 balls, laced with 13 fours and six big sixes.

On reaching 88, he achieved 5,000 runs in Test cricket.

Brendan Nash, who made 74 in the first innings, followed up with a patient 65 off 172 balls in a vital fifth-wicket stand of 124 with the captain.

Gayle said he still has work to do and will be looking to progress.

"I will be looking to come back tomorrow and push on to see how many more I can get. We still have three wickets in hand so I will be looking for as many as possible. The pitch is still good for batting so we won't be taking anything for granted.

"This is the final Test match and both teams will be looking for victory and it will be a long, hard day."