Veteran Windies opening batsman Chris Gayle has announced that he will quit ODI cricket after the 2019 World Cup.
Gayle is the second highest rungetter for the Windies in 50-over cricket after Brian Lara and is just 223 runs runs short of touching 10000 runs in the format. He also holds the Windies record for most hundreds in ODI cricket. In 2015, he became the first Windies batsman to strike a double century in the format when he made 215 against Zimbabwe in a World Cup group game.
The 39-year-old, despite not featuring regularly for the Windies, is expected to play in the showpiece event in England this year. Post the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the left-hander has played only 15 ODIs including the World Cup Qualifiers last year in Zimbabwe.
Gayle has been recalled to the Windies ODI squad for the home series against England that kicks off on Wednesday in Barbados. “It is good to be back at the start of a big year,” Gayle said. “It’s a possibility that it might be the last time they get to see me on local soil.
“In 50 over cricket, definitely the World Cup is the end. I’m looking to draw the line there or should I say cut the string, let the youngsters have some fun and I can sit back in the party stand and watch them have some fun. Winning the World Cup would be the fairy tale, the youngsters owe it to me. They have to do that for me and try and get me the trophy. I’ll be looking to put my input in as well.”
