ICC World Cup 2019: Privilege And Honour To Represent West Indies In Five World Cup, Says Chris Gayle

West Indies finished their ICC World Cup 2019 campaign with a win beating Afghanistan by 23 runs at the Headingley. Chris Gayle also played his last World Cup game and admitted that it is a matter of pride and honour for him to represent his country in five World Cup.

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Honour to represent West Indies in five World Cups: Gayle

Batting first, West Indies posted 311 runs on the board as their batters contributed together for the first time in the World Cup. Shai Hope and Evin Lewis gave a good start before Nicholas Pooran, and Jason Holder played two outstanding knocks to post a massive total on the board. Afghanistan staged an outstanding chase with Rahmat Shah and Ikram Ali Khil putting up a brave show, but Jason Holder & Co produced an exceptional bowling effort led by Carlos Brathwaite’s four-wicket haul to seal the tie.

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Speaking after the end of the game, Chris Gayle admitted that it a matter of pride and honour to represent his country in five World Cups. Although he seemed unhappy to miss out on the top four place, was happy with all the hard put in to be in the World Cup.

“Been a privilege and honour to represent West Indies in five WCs, disappointed to end without making it to the final four. Lot has happened behind the scenes to get here and be here, that’s fantastic,” Gayle said.

It is my last World Cup: Gayle

Furthermore, Chris Gayle revealed that it is his last World Cup and said that he doesn’t want to put his body at risk and that he has been struggling. In the 35 World Cup matches, the southpaw has scored 1186 runs to finish as the second highest West Indies run-scorer after Brian Lara in the World Cups.

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“It is my last World Cup….unless they give me two years of rest and I come back (laughs). Privileged to have been part of another World Cup. I don’t intend to put my body on the risk, I’ve been struggling. This is the last one, definitely,” Gayle added.

The 39-year-old Chris Gayle said that it would have been great to lift the trophy, but he was happy with what he has hot. He heaped praise on the youngsters and the support staffs for putting in the hardwork throughout the tournament.

“Would’ve loved to lift the trophy, but it didn’t happen but at the same time it was fun, enjoyed it. All the guys rallied around me, got the support of the youngsters. Must commend the staff for the work ethics they’ve put in. Words can’t explain my feeling at the moment honestly,” he continued.

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In conclusion, Chris Gayle said that the future looks bright for West Indies with so many talented cricketers in the ranks. He also hailed the young skipper in Jason Holder and urged the fans to look forward to the next World Cup. Speaking about his career, Gayle said that he will play the T20Is and ODIs against India and then the CPL and the Canadian T20 League and will see after that how his body responds.

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“The future looks bright, with Hetmyer, Hope, Pooran – those guys will carry the flag and make sure West Indies cricket is back to where it belongs. They have a young captain in Jason Holder as well, they have to rally around. Look forward to the next World Cup as well. To play the T20Is and ODIs against India, the CPL and the Canadian T20. That’s that. We’ll see after that what happens,” he signed off.