91-574: Christopher Henry Gayle OD (born 21 September 1979) is a Jamaican cricketer who has played international cricket for the West Indies from 1999 to 2021. Nicknamed " The Universe Boss ", Gayle is widely regarded as the greatest Twenty20 batsman ever. He played a crucial role in the West Indies teams that won the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy , 2012 ICC World Twenty20 and 2016 ICC World Twenty20 . He has set numerous records across all three formats of
182-460: A dancehall music video called "We Come Out To Party". Earlier in 2020, he had released a video about his partying lifestyle. In April 2021, Gayle released a music video titled "Jamaica to India" in collaboration with the Indian rapper Emiway Bantai . In September 2021, Gayle announced a song named 'Punjabi Daddy'. Order of Distinction The Order of Distinction ( OD ) is a national order in
273-404: A stunning upset in cricket history. In the 1987 World Cup, Zimbabwe lost all six of their group-stage matches, though they came very close to winning against New Zealand. Chasing 243 to win from 50 overs, wicketkeeper -batsman David Houghton scored 142, but Zimbabwe were all out for 239 in the final over, thus losing by three runs. In the 1992 tournament, Zimbabwe failed to progress beyond
364-494: A South African Composite XI made up of franchise and provincial players. The three games, in Paarl , Potchefstroom , and Kimberley were all won by Zimbabwe. In between those games, they played a five match One Day International series against the West Indies , scoring an upset win in the opening match before losing the series 3–1. The final match was abandoned due to rain. Zimbabwe's performance against Bangladesh during this time
455-526: A breakthrough was achieved in levels of performance in the late 1990s where the Zimbabwean team began winning Tests against other nations, which included a series win against Pakistan. Unfortunately, the political situation in Zimbabwe declined at around the same time, which had a detrimental effect on the national team's performances. Zimbabwe performed well at the 1999 Cricket World Cup , coming in fifth place in
546-429: A century in each of international cricket's three formats. This stood alone as the record score in a T20I until 19 February 2012, when South Africa's Richard Levi scored 117 n.o. against New Zealand , and was eventually exceeded by Brendon McCullum of New Zealand later that year. In the semi-final match of the 2009 World Twenty20 against Sri Lanka, he became the first international player to carry his bat through
637-517: A country other than Jamaica. The former are made Members of the Order, and the latter are made Honorary Members. The Order has two ranks: the higher class of Commander, and the lower class of Officer. Commanders take place and precedence immediately after Members and Honorary Members of the Order of Jamaica . A Member or Honorary Member may be promoted from the rank of Officer to that of Commander. Commanders of
728-407: A destructive batsman who's most effective whilst playing square of the wicket. In July 2001, Gayle recorded his maiden Test century by scoring 175 against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club , Bulawayo . In partnership with Daren Ganga they added 214 to equal the record for opening stands against the host country. Gayle had a slow start to his international career, but invigorated it in 2002, ending
819-485: A further harmful incident, ex-player Mark Vermeulen was arrested after attempting to burn down ZC's offices, and successfully destroying the Zimbabwe Cricket Academy's premises. In a nation in increasing social and economic turmoil, such facilities are hard to replace, and their loss has proven difficult to manage for a cricket administration already short of top-quality facilities. In the period leading up to
910-407: A heavy bat. He is known for appearing very calm as the bowler approaches. "Tall and imposing at the crease, he loves to carve through the covers off either foot, and has the ability to decimate the figures of even the thriftiest of opening bowlers" recorded Wisden and ESPNcricinfo . He holds numerous records that reflect his batting style, including record Twenty20 strike-rates and high scores. "It
1001-519: A home series against Australia, therefore not playing in the inaugural version of the IPL. He played in the second IPL competition in early 2009, arriving for an away Test series against England very late, earning criticism about his commitment. His Test series went poorly, and the West Indies went on to lose both the Test and ODI series. Gayle, however, went to on score a match winning 88 in the first official match of
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#17328840811241092-640: A match. In 2013, during the Third Test against Zimbabwe , Gayle surpassed Brian Lara 's record of the most sixes in Test cricket by a West Indian cricketer. In February 2015, Gayle became the fourth cricketer to score a double century in ODIs, and the first ever to do so in World Cup history, when he made 215 during a pool game against Zimbabwe in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup in Canberra . His partnership with Marlon Samuels
1183-493: A national cricket team before it achieved Test status. A summary of key moments: Zimbabwe's first World Cup campaign in 1983 ended in the group stage, as they lost five of their six matches. However, they threw a surprise against Australia. Batting first, Zimbabwe reached a total of 239 for 6 in the allotted 60 overs, with skipper Duncan Fletcher top-scoring with 69 not out. Fletcher then produced career-best figures of 4 for 42 to restrict Australia to 226 for 7, thereby recording
1274-516: A respectable total of 240 in 35 overs. Chasing a revised target of 255 in 35 overs via DLS , India looked in a spot of bother, but Indian skipper Virat Kohli's unbeaten 114 cost them the match as India won the series 2–0. In November 2020, Gayle was nominated for the ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Decade award. In February 2021, Gayle was recalled to West Indies' T20I squad after two-year absence and named in
1365-520: A run-a-ball. In the 2012 IPL season , Gayle hit the most sixes (59) and was nominated for the orange cap for making 733 in 14 matches. Gayle was selected for team Uva Next for the inaugural Sri Lanka Premier League in 2012 , but did not play for the team due to injury. Gayle started off his 2013 IPL season scoring 92 not out from 58 balls, hitting 11 fours and four sixes against the Mumbai Indians. His innings helped his side to victory, and he
1456-596: A series of US$ 500 bonuses based on wickets taken and fifties scored. The maximum payment was believed to be capped at around US$ 8000. However, fees were not paid until June 2007 to stop the exodus and help cash flow. The specter of continued problems with the ZC board influenced some players to cut their losses and seek to finish their careers abroad: Anthony Ireland accepted a contract to play for Gloucestershire during 2007, while opener Vusi Sibanda also left. More are thought to be considering following suit. Zimbabwe fared poorly in
1547-612: A then record 380 runs – than for the Zimbabwean performance. Zimbabwe lost its first match against Bangladesh in 2004. In 2004, captain Heath Streak was sacked by the ZCU (now Zimbabwe Cricket), prompting a walkout by 14 other players in protest against political influence in the team's management and selection policies. A scheduled tour by Sri Lanka went ahead, but this was a lopsided affair, with Zimbabwe represented by fringe players who were not of international standard. Because of this,
1638-527: A top score of 92, and was one of the star players. Following his prolific performances, Gayle was signed by Zimbabwean franchise Matabeleland Tuskers , for the 2011-12 Stanbic Bank 20 Series . As Gayle later recalled it was valuable practice ahead of the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash , where he had signed for the Sydney Thunder . Gayle hoped his first appearance in the tournament was a success, and he gave
1729-484: Is instinct... We premeditate at times, but most of those things are instinct. When a fast bowler runs in to me, my breathing is controlled. So you keep a still head, slow down your breathing. Sometimes I actually hold my breath, so I can be as still and well-balanced as possible. If you get too excited, you overreact more, and with the adrenalin, you lose focus quickly." Chris Gayle launched a music career in November 2020 with
1820-481: The 2007 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies, and to stop a similar exodus of players as after the 2003 World Cup, the selected players were asked to sign a new contract. The players were summoned to meet Ozias Bvute, Zimbabwe Cricket's managing director, a week or so before they were due to set off and given an ultimatum – sign the contract on offer or be removed from the squad. It is understood that they were not allowed to take advice, and were told they had to make
1911-625: The 2007 Cricket World Cup , even failing to beat non-Test playing Ireland . Zimbabwe upset Australia in its opening match of the Twenty20 World Championship in Cape Town , defeating them by 5 wickets. Brendan Taylor led the way for Zimbabwe, with first-class wicket keeping (a catch, stumping, and run out) and a crucial unbeaten 60 from 45 deliveries. He was announced as Man of the Match. They then lost to England by 50 runs, meaning they exited
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#17328840811242002-841: The Chevrons , represents Zimbabwe in men's international cricket and is overseen by Zimbabwe Cricket (formerly known as the Zimbabwe Cricket Union). Zimbabwe has been a Full Member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) since 1992. As of May, 2023, Zimbabwe was ranked 10th in Tests , 11th in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 11th in Twenty20 internationals (T20Is) by the ICC. Zimbabwe – known as Rhodesia until 1980 – had
2093-521: The Jamaican honours system . It is the sixth in order of precedence of the Orders of Societies of Honour, which were instituted by an Act of Parliament ( The National Honours and Awards Act ) in 1968. The motto of the Order is "Distinction Through Service". The Order of Distinction is conferred upon citizens of Jamaica who have rendered outstanding and important services to Jamaica, or to distinguished citizens of
2184-460: The Kings XI Punjab , which included 10 fours and 9 sixes. In the next match against Kochi Tuskers Kerala , he scored 37 runs in one over, which included 3 sixes, 3 fours and a no ball that was hit for a six. Although many people cite him as having hit the over for 37, one run was awarded as an extra due to the no ball. He can therefore be said to have hit 36 off an over that went for 37. Gayle won
2275-1012: The Western Australia Warriors for the Australian Domestic Twenty20 tournament known as the Big Bash for the 2009–10 season. In 2011, after being left out of the initial part of the West Indies T20 and one-day home series against Pakistan, Gayle opted to join the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League. In his debut game against his previous team Kolkata Knight Riders in their home ground, he scored 102 off 55 balls, hitting 10 fours and 7 sixes. On 6 May 2011, he scored another century, 107 off 49 balls in Bangalore against
2366-629: The 2009 Twenty20, in a surprise victory over Australia. On 17 December 2009 in the Australia v West Indies 3rd Test Chris Gayle scored the then fifth-fastest century in Test match history, taking just 70 balls to reach 100, including nine fours and six sixes. He was dismissed two balls later for 102 runs. On 16 November 2010, he became the fourth cricketer to score two triple centuries in Test cricket after Donald Bradman , Brian Lara and Virender Sehwag . On his return to Test cricket in July 2012, he scored 150 on
2457-460: The Cricket World Cup. On 1 July 2019, in the match against Sri Lanka , Gayle became the most capped player for the West Indies in international cricket, playing in his 455th match. Three days later, in the West Indies' final match of the 2019 Cricket World Cup, against Afghanistan , Gayle became the most-capped player for the West Indies in the Cricket World Cup, playing in his 35th match. In
2548-484: The Harare Sports Club and Mutare Sports Club grounds. Plans for a new Test ground at Victoria Falls were also revealed. ZC also signed a US$ 1 million deal with Reebok to sponsor the domestic competitions and manufacture the kits of the national team for three years. Following the Test, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh contested a five-match ODI series. Zimbabwe won 3–2, thus recording their first ODI series win against
2639-566: The IPL. He also took two wickets in the match. At the launch of the Caribbean Premier League , Gayle was announced as the first franchise player for the league. During the 2015 T20 Blast season in England, Gayle represented Somerset and despite appearing in just 3 games for the county he contributed 328 runs including a score of 151 not out in a losing cause against Kent . The knock that came from 62 balls included 15 sixes and remains
2730-469: The Match award in the one-day National League . However, Worcestershire were relegated after Gayle made 1 in the final match against Lancashire. Gayle was named Player of the 2006 Champions Trophy , where the West Indies nearly defended the title they won in 2004, being defeated in the final by Australia . Gayle scored three centuries and totalled 474 runs, 150 more than any other batsman, and also took eight wickets in as many matches. Gayle, in keeping with
2821-637: The ODI series against India after the World Cup playing his final and 301st ODI match wearing the special jersey number 301 in August 2019, against India . In December 2020, Gayle was included in the ICC T20I Team of the Decade . In September 2021, he was included in the West Indies squad for 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup . Gayle started his cricket career with Lucas Cricket Club in Kingston, Jamaica . Gayle claimed: "If it
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2912-696: The Orange Cap Award for scoring the most runs in the tournament amassing 608 runs in 12 matches. He was instrumental in many victories for the Royal Challengers Bangalore and received five Man of the Match awards and also the Player of the Tournament award for his performances. In the 2011 Champions League Twenty20 , Chris Gayle was the second highest run-scorer in the competition, behind David Warner , with 257 runs from 6 matches at an average of 42.83 and
3003-446: The Order of Distinction are entitled to use the post-nominal letters CD in the case of Members, or CD (Hon.) in the case of Honorary Members. Officers of the Order of Distinction are entitled to use the post-nominal letters OD in the case of Members, or OD (Hon.) in the case of Honorary Members. Zimbabwe national cricket team Test kit ODI kit T20I kit The Zimbabwe men's national cricket team , also known as
3094-526: The Super Sixes and only missing out on a semi-final place due to having an inferior net run-rate than New Zealand . In the group stage, Zimbabwe beat India by three runs, before facing their neighbours South Africa, then the best team in the world. Batting first, Zimbabwe made 233 for 6, with a well-fought 76 by opening batsman Neil Johnson . In reply, South Africa collapsed to 40 for 6, before Lance Klusener and Shaun Pollock scored half-centuries to reduce
3185-745: The T20I squad against Sri Lanka . On 13 July 2021, against Australia in the third T20I, Gayle scored his first T20I half-century in the format since 2016, scoring 67 off 38 deliveries. In September 2021, Gayle was named in the West Indies' squad for the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup . On 6 November 2021, Gayle played his last T20I match against Australia in the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium . However he has not announced his retirement from international cricket yet. He wanted to retire in front of his home crowd in Jamaica. On 1 July 2009, Gayle signed with
3276-504: The Windies beat the mighty Australians. They lost in the semi-final to Sri Lanka. Gayle first played at the international level as a youth where he topscored for the Windies at the 1998 Under-19 Cricket World Cup . He eventually made his first-class debut in 1998, at age 19 for Jamaica. He played his first One Day International eleven months later in 1999, and his first Test match six months after that. Gayle went on to establish himself as
3367-402: The ZCU accepted that Zimbabwe was to play no further Test cricket in 2004, though its status as a Test nation remained unaffected. After a series of poor Test performances following the resignation of several senior players, the Zimbabwean team was voluntarily suspended from Test cricket in late 2005 by its cricket board, with ICC encouragement. In early 2005, Heath Streak was reinstated into
3458-587: The above competitions was thrown into doubt when the plans were postponed pending a Cricket South Africa board meeting. A compromise was reached late in November 2007, meaning Zimbabwe would have taken part in the MTN Domestic Championship and the Standard Bank Pro 20 Series , but not the SuperSport Series as originally planned. Instead, they played three first-class four-day games against
3549-640: The bails, the original decision was upheld. Gayle thus became the only player in world cricket to hit a triple hundred in Tests, a double hundred in ODIs and a hundred in Twenty20 Internationals. Chris Gayle ended his List-A career for Jamaica with a match-winning century against Barbados in a Super50 Cup 2018. On 18 February 2019, Gayle announced that he would retire from ODIs after the 2019 Cricket World Cup . He reversed this decision in June 2019. In April 2019, he
3640-481: The board had expired. This body of players demanded that the chairman and managing director of Zimbabwe Cricket, Peter Chingoka and Ozias Bvute , be removed from office for there to be any hope for the players to return to the international stage. On 6 January 2006, the Sports and Recreation Commission, a division of the Zimbabwean government, took over the offices of Zimbabwe Cricket. The apparent takeover has resulted in
3731-646: The death of democracy" in Zimbabwe. Both were immediately dismissed from the team and applied for political asylum overseas. This public political protest caused considerable embarrassment to the co-hosts and disrupted team harmony. Since the 2003 World Cup, with a succession of Zimbabwe's best players ending their international careers early, a new side began to develop, featuring the likes of Travis Friend , Andy Blignaut , Hamilton Masakadza , Douglas Hondo , Craig Wishart , Ray Price , Sean Ervine , Mark Vermeulen , Tatenda Taibu , Elton Chigumbura , Prosper Utseya , Dougie Marillier , and Barney Rogers . Whilst not of
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3822-418: The decision then and there. One player told his teammates that there were certain things contained in the contracts that needed clarification. He was summoned back into Bvute's office and warned that it was a take-it-or-leave-it offer: this player was later revealed to be Anthony Ireland . Another said that when he told Bvute he wanted to consult with friends, Bvute picked up the phone and called Kenyon Ziehl,
3913-530: The entire innings in this format of the game as well. In April 2008, Gayle was bought by the franchise Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League player auction, but missed the opening games due to a Sri Lankan tour to the Caribbean. When he finally joined the team, he missed out on the action due to a groin injury he picked up during that tour. Afterwards, he left to join the West Indies team for
4004-569: The event ended in defeat as Mid West Rhinos 's Brendan Taylor 's outstanding 75* outlasted his team. The Tuskers could not win the tournament as they were overpowered by Mashonaland Eagles 's Ryan ten Doeschate 's brilliant 121* off 58 and despite Gayle scoring a half-century, it was not enough to see his home through. Gayle also joined the Barisal Burners in the Bangladesh Premier League , and had scored two centuries at more than
4095-626: The fastest 50 in T20 cricket while playing for Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League. Playing Tests, Gayle scored over 7,000 runs at an average of over 42 and captained the West Indian Test side from 2007 to 2010. He last played in a Test match in September 2014, against Bangladesh . After initially expressing his desire to retire from ODIs after the 2019 Cricket World Cup He nonetheless played in
4186-579: The field for a time, and was after the match sent to hospital where he was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect causing a cardiac dysrhythmia . He underwent heart surgery following the series to correct the defect. Gayle was only the fourth West Indian to carry his bat in a Test innings. In August 2005, Gayle joined Worcestershire for the rest of the English season, playing eight matches. He made two half-centuries in three first-class matches and two half-centuries in five one-day matches, and won one Man of
4277-538: The finals of many multi-national one-day tournaments. The increasing politicization of cricket, including selectorial policy, along with the declining situation in Zimbabwe disrupted the 2003 Cricket World Cup , which was jointly hosted by Zimbabwe, Kenya and South Africa. England forfeited a match scheduled to be played in Zimbabwe, risking their own progress through the competition, citing "security concerns" as their reason. Zimbabwean players Andy Flower and fast bowler Henry Olonga wore black armbands , for "mourning
4368-455: The firing of all whites and Asians among the board directors, because of "their racial connotations and saving their own agendas and not government policy" according to Gibson Mashingaidze , an army brigadier and chairman of the government's Sports and Recreation Commission. An interim board was appointed as the new leading party of cricket in Zimbabwe, with Peter Chingoka appointed as the committee's head. Given Chingoka's close ties to Bvute, it
4459-462: The game. He is the most capped player for the West Indies in international cricket and is the only player to score a triplet of centuries – a triple hundred in Tests, double hundred in ODIs and a hundred in T20Is. Gayle is the only player to score more than 14,000 runs and hit more than 1000 sixes in T20 cricket He is also the leading run scorer for West Indies in both ODIs and T20Is and, after Brian Lara ,
4550-500: The head of selection, and told him he wanted the player replaced in the squad. Unsurprisingly, the player backed down and signed. In light of the poor state of Zimbabwe's finances, and that Zimbabwe Cricket had to borrow around US$ 1 million in early 2007 pending receipt of monies from the World Cup to help them over an ongoing cash crisis, the board agreed to pay match fees in US dollars. The players were to be paid US$ 2000 per appearance and
4641-569: The highest T20 score at the County Ground Taunton . On 18 January 2016, in a match with the Adelaide Strikers , Gayle set a new Big Bash League record for the fastest fifty and equaled the world record set by Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh against England in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 . He reached 51 in just 12 deliveries which included seven sixes and smashed the previous record of 18 deliveries set by Strikers batsman Tim Ludeman . He
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#17328840811244732-516: The highest individual score in the T20 World Cup as a West Indian with his 117 runs against South Africa. Moreover, in the ICC Champions Trophy , he has the highest score made by a West Indian with his innings of 133 not out against South Africa in the 2006 tournament . In addition to his batting, He has picked up over 200 International Wickets with his Right-arm off-break spin bowling. He
4823-535: The likely one-sided nature of the games. Bangladesh , for a long time seen as the 'whipping boys' of Test cricket, recorded their first win against Zimbabwe, and were thereafter regarded as being of a superior standard. On 8 August 2011, Zimbabwe recorded a resounding victory in the one Test match series over Bangladesh, played in Harare. Domestically, the Logan Cup ;– Zimbabwe's first-class competition played amongst
4914-526: The margin of defeat to 48 runs. This was South Africa's first defeat against Zimbabwe and one of Zimbabwe's most famous wins. Neil Johnson also excelled with the ball, taking three wickets and claiming the Man of the Match award. Johnson quit playing for Zimbabwe after this tournament. During this period, Zimbabwe beat all Test-playing nations (except Australia ,India) regularly in ODI series. Zimbabwe beat New Zealand both home and away in 2000–2001. The team also reached
5005-464: The middle of his bat to all corners, turning into parabolas that the crowd was hollering for. Gayle faced more than half the balls bowled by the Warriors and produced a compressed 20-over highlights package. Sharda Ugra, ESPNcricinfo on a Gayle IPL innings. Gayle is known for his characteristic hitting, imposing physique, and timing. He attributes the latter to being very thin when young, and having
5096-412: The national side, but the political situation in Zimbabwe involving Operation Murambatsvina disrupted the Zimbabwean team. During overseas tours, the players were often said to be buying necessities that were unavailable – or prohibitively expensive – at home, as opposed to the souvenirs which other touring teams would purchase. In 2005 an agreement was signed which led to the return of many of
5187-442: The new captain, Tatenda Taibu , resigned from international cricket. By then the team had been further weakened by the departure of the likes of Dougie Marillier , Craig Wishart and Sean Ervine , all of whom retired in protest and expressed disillusionment in the local cricket hierarchy. By January 2006, 37 Zimbabwean cricketers had failed to receive any offer of renegotiation talks from Zimbabwe Cricket after their contracts with
5278-487: The ninth Test nation. Zimbabwe's early Test performances were consistently weak, leading to suggestions that they had been granted Test status prematurely. Of their first 30 Test matches, they won just one, at home against Pakistan in early 1995. In the one-day arena, however, the team soon became competitive, if not particularly strong. In particular, world respect was gained for their fielding ability. Despite his team's difficulties, wicket-keeper/batsman Andy Flower
5369-607: The provinces – was canceled in 2006 for the first time since its inception over a century ago (though the Cup was not played during some of the years of the World Wars). This was widely seen due to concern by ZC that the standard of play would be so poor as to be both not worthwhile and potentially harmful to the external image of cricket in Zimbabwe. The one-day trophy, the Faithwear Cup, was contested and drew complaints from observers that
5460-508: The quality was less than club level. As well as player exodus, the main reason for this catastrophic fall in standards was put down to wrangling within Zimbabwe Cricket, where internal politics motivated the removal of the historic provinces and their replacement with revamped, newly designated provincial teams. Zimbabwe's economic collapse led to scanty attendance at games and players not receiving their salaries for long periods of time. In
5551-487: The rebels to the Zimbabwe side. However, results failed to improve as in March Zimbabwe lost both their Tests on tour against South Africa by an innings. Worse was to follow in August, when they were crushed on home soil by New Zealand , in a match that was completed in just two days. In the process, Zimbabwe was humiliated; they became only the second side in Test history (after India in 1952) to be bowled out twice in
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#17328840811245642-399: The rest of the West Indies team, had a poor World Cup in 2007. He recorded a series of low scores; the one exception being a blistering 79 off 58 balls against England in the West Indies' final match. Gayle made the first century in international Twenty20 cricket, scoring 117 against South Africa in the first match of the 2007 World Twenty20 . The innings made him the first batsman to score
5733-531: The round-robin stage, losing seven of their eight matches, though there were two notable achievements. Against Sri Lanka in their first match, Zimbabwe posted their then-highest total of 312 for 4, with wicketkeeper-batsman Andy Flower top-scoring with 115 not out. However, the Sri Lankans chased this total down with four balls to spare, winning by three wickets. In their final match, Zimbabwe faced England in an inconsequential encounter, England having already made
5824-454: The same caliber of Streak, Goodwin, and the Flower brothers, this new breed of predominantly multi-disciplined players formed a solid backbone to a competitive, if usually unsuccessful, side. In late 2003, Zimbabwe toured Australia in a two-match series. The series was more memorable for Australian opener Matthew Hayden 's innings in the first Test – in which he overcame a back strain to score
5915-427: The same match he also equalled Brian Lara 's record of playing in 299 ODIs for the West Indies . In the next game against India, he played his 300th ODI match, the only West Indian player to achieve that feat. He also broke the record for the most runs for the West Indies in ODIs, surpassing Brian Lara . In the next match, he scored a breath-taking 72 of just 41 balls, in a knock having 5 maximums, as he led his team to
6006-478: The second Test but had a poor series until the fourth Test, where he made a match-saving 317. It was the first-ever triple century against South Africa and up until Mahela Jayawardene made 374, it was the highest individual Test score against them. In another match of the series, Gayle had to leave the field after complaining of dizziness. During a subsequent series against Australia, Gayle again complained of dizziness and shortness of breath during his innings. He left
6097-573: The semi-finals. Batting first, Zimbabwe were all out for 134. Eddo Brandes then produced a stunning spell of 4 for 21, including dismissing Graham Gooch the first ball, to help restrict England to 125 all out and thus give Zimbabwe a shock nine-run victory. These twenty World Cup matches were Zimbabwe's only international games during this period. Zimbabwe was granted Test status by the ICC in July 1992 and played its first Test match in October that year, against India at Harare Sports Club . They became
6188-465: The side, and scored merely 160 runs. This would be prove to be last outing for Gayle in PSL, as he wasn't picked by any side in the 2018 and 2019 drafts of the league. In 2021 , he was picked by Quetta Gladiators . On 18 April 2017, Gayle reached the 10,000 runs milestone in T20 cricket after scoring 77 runs off 38 balls in a match against Gujarat Lions where Royal Challengers Bangalore won by 21 runs. He
6279-410: The space of one day. Then they lost both their Tests to India at home later in September. After the series against India, Streak announced his retirement from international cricket, dealing yet another blow to the beleaguered team. By November 2005, the players were once again in dispute with Zimbabwe Cricket over political interference in the management of the game, as well as contract negotiations, and
6370-401: The spectators something to cheer about. Gayle was the second West Indian to be signed in the event, after the legendary Brian Lara had signed for Southern Rocks the previous season. Gayle enjoyed great success in that tournament. He was the leading run-scorer in that series with 293 runs, a top score of 109, and an average over 50, the best of the tournament. The only century Gayle scored in
6461-521: The team between 2011 and 2017. In 2022, Chris Gayle made his Legends League Cricket debut for Gujarat Giants . Playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore , Gayle scored a 30-ball century, that became the highest individual T20 score (175 not out). It eclipsed the previous mark set by Brendon McCullum of Kolkata Knight Riders . Gayle holds the record for most centuries in T20 cricket (21), 15 more than his nearest rival Brendon McCullum. 15 out of his 21 T20 centuries have been not out . The ball spat off
6552-505: The third day of the first Test against New Zealand. Gayle scored 75 runs from 41 balls, fuelling West Indies' total of 205, against Australia in the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 semi-final, which was the highest total of the tournament. In November 2012, during the First Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka, Gayle became the first player in the history of Test cricket to hit a six off the first ball of
6643-498: The tournament at the first stage due to their net run rate being inferior to both Australia and England after Australia had beaten England in the other group match. There was more encouraging news in October 2007, when it was announced that Zimbabwe would compete in all three domestic competitions in South Africa as part of Cricket South Africa's attempts to improve the standard of cricket in Zimbabwe. However, their participation in
6734-475: The tournament. After these defeats, opening batsman Brendan Taylor was announced as captain of all formats on 24 June 2011, replacing Elton Chigumbura. Zimbabwe returned to Test cricket on 4 August 2011 after a six-year exile, hosting Bangladesh in a one-off Test match at Harare . The national team's re-introduction to Test cricket was successful, as they won by 130 runs. As part of the lead-up to their Test return, Zimbabwe Cricket announced major upgrades to
6825-725: The tournament. In September 2018, he was named as the Icon Player for Balkh's squad in the first edition of the Afghanistan Premier League tournament. The following month, he was named in Jozi Stars ' squad for the first edition of the Mzansi Super League T20 tournament. In June 2019, he was selected to play for the Vancouver Knights franchise team in the 2019 Global T20 Canada tournament. In September 2019, he
6916-431: The year except against Ireland whom they beat 2–1 at home. Zimbabwe started their World Cup 2011 campaign with a 91-run defeat by Australia at Ahmadabad on 21 February 2011. They then recorded a comfortable victory over Canada, before losing by 10 wickets to New Zealand on 4 March 2011. Further heavy defeats by Sri Lanka and Pakistan followed, before a consolation victory over Kenya was achieved in Zimbabwe's final game of
7007-520: The year with three centuries against India in November and becoming the third West Indian to score over 1,000 runs in a calendar year, along with Vivian Richards and Brian Lara . He is one of only six players in One Day International history to have three or more scores of 150. In 2005, Gayle was dropped for the first Test against South Africa along with six other players following a dispute over sponsorship issues (see below). He returned for
7098-415: Was David Houghton , who holds the record for the highest individual Test score for Zimbabwe of 266 against Sri Lanka in 1994/95. Sometime captain and middle-order batsman Alistair Campbell , leg-spinning all-rounder Paul Strang , Eddo Brandes , and pace bowler/opener Neil Johnson were other important contributors for Zimbabwe on the world stage at this time. With the appearance of these quality players,
7189-465: Was also awarded the man of the match which was his first in IPL 2017 . On 16 September 2017, Gayle became the first ever player to hit 100 T20I sixes. On 28 January 2018, Gayle was bought by Kings XI Punjab (Now Punjab Kings ) in the 2018 IPL Auction for his base price of ₹20 million. On 19 April, Gayle scored 104 * off 63 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad , and his team won the match by 15 runs. It
7280-403: Was at one point rated the best batsman in world cricket. During this era, Zimbabwe also produced such cricketers as Flower's brother Grant , and allrounders Andy Blignaut and Heath Streak (who was later appointed national captain). Murray Goodwin was also a world-class batsman; following his retirement from international cricket, he has scored heavily for Sussex . Another world-class batsman
7371-400: Was awarded the man of the match . On 23 April 2013, during an IPL match against Pune Warriors India , Gayle broke multiple scoring records. With an individual score of 175 not out off 66 balls and a century reached in 30 balls, Gayle set records for the fastest century reached in any format of cricket, the highest individual score in a T20 match, and the most sixes scored in a single innings in
7462-516: Was awarded the Most Valuable Player in the 2011 Indian Premier League and held the Orange Cap in 2012. On 23 April 2013, He broke the record for the fastest ever T20 hundred in his landmark knock of 175 runs from 66 balls for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors India in the IPL , which is also the highest score ever by a batsman in T20 history. He also equaled the record for
7553-541: Was dismissed shortly after for 56 off 17 balls by Travis Head . Gayle was signed by Lahore Qalandars in 2016 for 200,000 dollars to play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Gayle had his worst T20 league, citing back problems. He only scored 103 runs from five matches and was also out twice for a golden duck , the most in his T20 career, by Junaid Khan . Gayle returned for a second season of PSL in 2017, this time picked by Karachi Kings . He played 9 matches for
7644-455: Was extremely poor as they lost every ODI series except one at home, including a 0–5 whitewash in 2006. Zimbabwe also lost against non-Test playing nation Kenya very often. But in 2009, they bounced back beating their African neighbors 9–1 in ten games. Zimbabwe won an ODI and a T20I during their tour of the West Indies . Zimbabwe reached the finals of a triangular tournament that included India and Sri Lanka. They lost their remaining matches in
7735-470: Was his 6th IPL century. Gayle was retained by the franchise for IPL 2021 . He however left the tournament in the second leg, citing 'bio-bubble fatigue'. In May 2018, Gayle was named as one of the ten marquee players for the first edition of the Global T20 Canada cricket tournament. On 3 June 2018, he was selected to play for the Vancouver Knights in the players' draft for the inaugural edition of
7826-560: Was likely that the latter would continue in his post as well. On 18 January 2006, Zimbabwe Cricket announced that they were suspending the playing of Test cricket for the rest of the year. Zimbabwe's coach Kevin Curran said that Zimbabwe were aiming to play their next Test against the West Indies in November 2007. It was felt by observers that the Zimbabwean national team was not of sufficient Test standard, and that competing against Full Member sides would do little to improve standards, given
7917-444: Was named in the West Indies' squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup , which marked his fifth consecutive World Cup appearance (2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019). On 31 May 2019, in the West Indies' opening match of the World Cup, Gayle scored his 40th six in World Cup matches, the most by any batsman in World Cup history, surpassing AB de Villiers 's record of 37. In the West Indies' match against Australia , Gayle scored his 1,000th run in
8008-681: Was named in the squad for the Jozi Stars team for the 2019 Mzansi Super League tournament. In October 2020, he was drafted by the Kandy Tuskers for the inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League . In November 2021, he was selected to play for the Colombo Stars following the players' draft for the 2021 Lanka Premier League . On 17 May 2022, Gayle was inducted into the RCB Hall of Fame (along with AB de Villiers ) for his contributions to
8099-465: Was not for Lucas, I don't know where I would be today. Maybe on the streets." Lucas Cricket Club's nursery has been named in honour of Gayle. He was made captain of the West Indies side in the ICC T20 World Cup 2009 after getting criticized for playing in the IPL 2008 and missing an international series a few months before. Gayle scored a quickfire 88 in the opening game of the tournament and helped
8190-406: Was the most productive wicket in Cricket World Cup history, producing 372 runs before Gayle was caught for an out on the final ball of the innings. Coincidentally, he was almost adjudged out on the first ball he faced as an LBW appeal was raised by Zimbabwe bowler, Tinashe Panyangara, however, the umpire turned down the appeal. Despite a review which showed that the ball would have clipped the top of
8281-462: Was the second player to score more than 10,000 runs for West Indies in ODI Cricket . Gayle was the first West Indian batsman to score a double-century in ODI cricket and subsequently in the history of World Cup cricket, where he scored an innings of 215 against Zimbabwe. His innings of 215 is currently the highest individual score by a left-handed batsman in ODI cricket. Along with the ODI record, he has
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