Gayle to exit ODI arena after World Cup

February 17, 2019

Bridgetown: West Indies batsman Chris Gayle has confirmed he will retire from one-day internationals after this year's World Cup but is willing to lend his star power to the England and Wales Cricket Board's new 100-ball competition.

The 39-year-old Jamaican has racked up 284 ODIs since his debut almost 20 years ago and has announced he will quit the 50-over format after one final tilt at silverware.

Chris Gayle will bow out of ODI cricket after this year’s World Cup.Credit:PA

The 100-ball competition will also debut in 2020 and Gayle made it clear he would be happy to bring his own unique brand of entertainment if drafted.

"Well, if I don't start it, it won't be a tournament," he said.

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

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

The ECB is keen to attract more women and families to its grounds when the new format launches and it remains to be seen whether Gayle would be an attractive option, given the controversial end to his time in Australia's Big Bash.

He has not featured in that tournament since being dropped by Melbourne Renegades following a pitch-side interview with Mel McLaughlin, during which he told her "don't blush baby".

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