'It's Been an Honour to Wear the Crest and Entertain the People Around the Caribbean' - Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle, the veteran batsman, scored the fastest fifty by a West Indian (50 off 19 balls) in One-Day cricket lately. During the fifth ODI against England in St. Lucia, Gayle scored 77 off 27 balls – hitting five fours and nine sixes. However, ahead of the series, Gayle had announced he would retire from world cricket post the 2019 World Cup and that the England series will be his last on the home soil. As the Windies and England drew the five-match series 2-2, Chris talked about his performance with the bat – scoring 434 runs in four innings at an average of 106. Besides, he created a world record of hitting most no. of sixes in a bilateral ODI series (39).

I was giving the fans a nice wave – Gayle

Aged 39, Chris hit as many sixes in the series – completing two hundred and two fifties in four outings. As he produced one of the most dominating performances by a batsman in a bilateral ODI series, Gayle said he wanted to give the fans a nice wave. The tall-bulky cricketer also shared high praises for the fans of both countries who were present to support their teams in the series.

“This is my last ODI series in the Caribbean so I was giving the fans a nice wave. Right through the tournament, they have been superb from both sides: West Indies and England sides. It would be nice if it was in Jamaica, but the crowds have been fantastic,” Gayle was quoted as saying by ICC’s website on Sunday.

Moreover, Chris Gayle shed light on his two-decade-long career saying to wear the crest and entertain the people of the Caribbean had been an honour. Thanking his destiny, Gayle added to play cricket for the West Indies, and that too for so long is the best achievement one can have.

“It’s been an honour to wear the crest and entertain the people around the Caribbean. West Indies is No.1. This is the best achievement you can have in the Caribbean as a cricketer. This is the best thing, to be honest with you,” he added.

I was thankful for the form – Chris Gayle

Though he had been out of the national team because of his rift with the board, the left-hander said this is the best he has played (against England) on his home soil. However, his form had been a worry for him, and since he has come good, Gayle is all but grateful.

He further added he is not surprised by the number of sixes Chris has hit against England, as in T20s – as the top-order batsman; he scores a lot of runs over the boundary ropes.

“I’m thankful for the form. I wasn’t getting any runs in the T20 tournaments I was playing. When you get a chance to score runs, make sure you score heavy. But it’s the best (I’ve played) in my home conditions and I’m happy and grateful for that,” he said.

“I’m not surprised by how well I’ve done, or the number of sixes. Sixes come along. It’s just natural, to be honest. In T20s, I score a lot of sixes as well, but this is the first time in an ODI series. To hit 39 sixes aged 39 – it’s fantastic from a personal point of view,” he added.

Concluding, Chris Gayle said even when he will be 60, he could be hitting those massive sixes as well. Assuring what he had said, Gayle noted he can smash the best bowler in the world too.

“But my mindset is that, even when I’m 60, I’ll still think I can do it. I’d still think I can score runs against the best bowlers in the world. That will never change. It’s just the body which is always the worrying part for me.” Gayle concluded.