Chris Gayle: West Indies batsman to retire after 2019 World Cup

West Indies batsman Chris Gayle will retire from one-day international cricket after this summer's World Cup.

The left-hander, 39, has scored 9,727 ODI runs - second only to the legendary Brian Lara among West Indians - in 284 matches since his debut in 1999.

Gayle said: "I'm looking to draw the line - or should I say cut the string - let the youngsters have some fun and I can sit back in the party stand."

The World Cup will be held in England and Wales from 30 May to 14 July.

Gayle is in the West Indies squad to face England in a five-match one-day series starting on Wednesday in Barbados.

Asked if he might also end his ODI career as a World Cup winner, he said: "Absolutely, the youngsters owe it to me.

"They have to do that for me and try and get me the trophy. But I'll be looking to put my input in as well."

"It is a big year for me. I hope 2019 can finish for me on a great note."

Shortly after announcing his retirement from one-day internationals, Gayle posted on Instagram

Gayle has made 23 ODI centuries, and his 215 against Zimbabwe in 2015 is the fourth-highest score in history. He is one of only six men to have scored an ODI double hundred.

A part-time off-spinner, he has also taken 165 ODI wickets at 35.33 apiece.

He was part of the West Indies team that won the Champions Trophy in England in 2004.

Gayle has played 103 Tests for West Indies, but in recent years has focused on limited-overs matches, both internationally and in domestic Twenty20 competitions.

He will continue to be available for T20s, and he said is is keen to play in the England and Wales Cricket Board's inaugural 100-ball competition in 2020.

"I guess England should invite me over. Then I'll explode the tournament and say 'thank you guys; bring in a youngster now'," he said.

"I'll set the trend for you like I did in all tournaments around the world. Fingers crossed, we'll see what happens."

.view-comments-button-wrapped-component {display: block !important;} .view-comments-button-wrapper {display: none !important;}

Comments

Join the conversation

These comments are now closed.

93 comments

Comment posted by rhys, at 19:08 17 Feb 2019
He’s been a hell of an asset to cricket over a seriously long career. Big ego, big hitter, big game player.
Box office all the way
Comment posted by BRIAN666, at 18:54 17 Feb 2019
A top player and charismatic bloke - wish him all the best
Comment posted by Napoleon, at 18:59 17 Feb 2019
One of the best strike batsman in the world. Thank you for the sixes!
Comment posted by veekay1, at 20:34 17 Feb 2019
33.

"Let's not forget he is only one of two cricketers to score two triple centuries. The others were Lara, Bradman and Sehwag"

and let's not forget that you can't count!!
Comment posted by Inastate, at 19:02 17 Feb 2019
Extremely talented cricketer from the dominate or die brigade. To score the runs he did and in the way he did it shows he is a special cricketer and fans around the world were entertained by him.
Comment posted by unknown user , at 18:50 17 Feb 2019
Used to be a great player

No one can deny him his entertainment value
Comment posted by Fred-at-Caxton, at 18:56 17 Feb 2019
Absolute class - I love watching him!!
Comment posted by blackbulldog, at 19:09 17 Feb 2019
Do you think he likes himself much?
Comment posted by Rosbif, at 19:52 17 Feb 2019
Anybody else noticed that you never see Gayle and Pietersen in the same place? Apparently, it's been scientifically proven that there Isn't a cricket ground in the world big enough to accommodate both of their egos.
Comment posted by jamiewalton76, at 20:28 17 Feb 2019
Most natural hitter of a cricket ball I've ever seen.
Comment posted by diesel001, at 22:22 17 Feb 2019
@51

Alastair Cook was a great Test player. Lara, Steve Waugh, Tendulkar and many similar players were great Test players.

Gayle isn't in their league. He isn't as good as many of the old West Indians - Chanderpaul, Richards, Haynes, Lloyd, Greenidge, Sobers etc. Most of these were facing better bowling attacks when the bat didn't have as a big an advantage
Comment posted by Gigglingdolphin, at 11:52 18 Feb 2019
Great player, total arse of a human being.
Comment posted by messis_wendy_house, at 20:10 17 Feb 2019
One of the most entertaining batsmen of all time. Enjoy your retirement
Comment posted by Simba, at 20:04 17 Feb 2019
I for one will miss his modesty.

In all seriousness, sport needs characters like him and Zlatan
Comment posted by Bunny, at 11:56 18 Feb 2019
Did no one ever tell Mr Gayle that nobody is greater than the game??? He would appear to be terribly arrogant. Gary Sobers, Clive Lloyd et al must squirm at his attitude!!!
Comment posted by Nibbo92, at 19:25 18 Feb 2019
Very entertaining cricketer but the most selfish and self centred players to take to the field. I hope the WI team win the world cup FOR THE WINDIES, not him. How dare he think they owe him anything after they have rebuilt the ruins he left to pursue the mighty dollar.

I will miss his batting but will not miss the man.
Comment posted by D1666534179097, at 07:22 18 Feb 2019
@72

You obviously didn't speak to any females.
Comment posted by terryf, at 20:39 17 Feb 2019
One of the greatest alrounder batting entertainers in the history of the game, bar none!!!! In all 3 formats very rare! People saying he's only been a white ball player dont know their cricket! Two test tripple centuries, in 105 tests (only 26 players in history have tripples, only two have two, gayle and bradman, lara has one and a quadrupple and one of four from WI). Greatest in T20 ever!
Comment posted by redbid71, at 13:18 18 Feb 2019
I might be wrong but I dont think the windies have announced there wc squad yet, so what arrogance from mr gayle to say he will retire after it ! it will be interesting to see his fitness levels over the next 5 odi,s if it was any thing like in england 2017 ide leave him at home
Comment posted by veekay1, at 19:24 17 Feb 2019
11. Bitter

"He will be missed by WI cricket".

He was about seven years ago.

Can't blame the man considering the money he earned for deserting his nation's team.

That aside, I'll be quite happy when this pantomime walks away from the game.