Chris Gayle retires from List A cricket for Jamaica with a century

Chris Gayle believes "there's still a lot in the tank" despite retirement from List A cricket for Jamaica.

Chris Gayle receives guard of honor from both teams, as he walks out to play his final 50-over game for Jamaica | CWI MediaWest Indian and Jamaican legend Chris Gayle called time on his List A career for Jamaica with a brutal 114-ball 122 against Barbados in his team’s win.

After announcing that it would be his final 50-over game for Jamaica, he was given a guard of honor by both his team-mates and opponents as he walked out to bat in Kensington Oval, Bridgetown.

"It's very pleasing to get a hundred in my last 50-over game for Jamaica, it's something I will always cherish," Gayle said. "To lead the team to a win makes it more special. It's been a pleasure representing my country, more so captaining them. I'm thankful and grateful to be standing here aged 39 and still get a century in my last game for Jamaica.

Gayle further said, "There's a lot in the tank to be honest, but there's life after cricket, so have to enjoy life as well. Playing cricket for over 25 years has been a great achievement from a personal point of view, but I have a family now. I have to gel with them as much as possible and watch your kid grow.

Gayle also remarked that he would like to play a four-day game at Sabina Park, his home ground before retiring from all formats for Jamaica.

"It's possible that I'll play a four-day game at Sabina Park. If possible, I will definitely play a four-day game. I don't know when it starts but I'll look into the schedule and make myself available," he said.

Gayle had captained Jamaica on Saturday, in place of appointed captain Nikita Miller. His 122 came off 114 balls, with 10 fours and eight sixes, helping carry Jamaica to 226. Barbados were bowled out for 193 in the chase.

As his fondest memory for Jamaica, Gayle picked his world record 425-run stand with Leon Garrick in 2001. It was the first quadruple-century opening stand in West Indian first-class history, where Gayle, 21 then, made 208 not out while Garrick made exactly 200 not out.

"That's a special partnership; my most special memory is not from international cricket but for Jamaica. That partnership with Leon is special," he said. "Also, the two triple hundreds in Tests, the double-century in ODIs [against Zimbabwe at the 2015 World Cup] and the first T20I century by a West Indian - these will all be special, but the 400-partnership will stand out."

Gayle has expressed his desire to play the 2019 World Cup in England and continues to ply his trade in T20 leagues around the world.

(Inputs: ESPNCricinfo.com)

 
 

By Jatin Sharma - 07 Oct, 2018

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