West Indies left-handed opening batsman Chris Gayle signed off his last One Day International (ODI) in the Caribbean with a record half-century in the fifth and final match against England at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Saint Lucia on Saturday.
Chasing a paltry 113, Gayle set off from the get-go striking three fours in the first over bowled by Chris Woakes and then went on to plunder 23 runs in the third over — off Woakes — that included three sixes. And this was despite claiming to have walked out with the wrong bat as he made his way towards the pitch.
He eventually reached his fifty off just 19 balls and became the fastest West Indian to reach the milestone, surpassing Darren Sammy’s benchmark by a delivery. Gayle, slated to play for Kings XI Punjab in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL), milked 26 runs off five balls from Mark Wood before his off stump was uprooted in the last ball of the over. However, till then an emphatic victory for the hosts had already been all-but secured.
Gayle departed after scoring 77 runs off just 27 balls, with 5 fours and 9 huge sixes that accounted for 74 runs in boundaries alone.
Here’s the video:
Gayle Storm in full effect with #GayleForce winds! 🌪⛈ 50 from just 19 balls! 🐐🌴🏴 #WIvENG #MenInMaroon #ItsOurGame #ChrisGayle pic.twitter.com/ycyE5IR7k6
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) March 3, 2019
