Photo: Teary eyed Chris Gayle at the launch of his Academy at Luca Cricket Ground in Kingston on Thursday.
The West Indies will begin their home series against New Zealand today with a Test match at Sabina Park and Chris Gayle will be among the starting eleven.
Doubts were raised about Gayle’s fitness ahead of the series after the 34 year old had to seek medical treatment in Germany. But speaking at the opening of his cricket academy at the Lucas cricket ground on Thursday Gayle said, “By the hook or the crook…I am going to die with these guys on Sunday.”
An emotional Gayle who was unable to hold back the tears continued “It is an honour to play my 100th Test in front of family and friends.”
Teased by the president of the West Indies Cricket Board of Control (WICB), Mr Dave Cameron that he “didn’t seem so fierce now”, in reference to how he is regarded by bowlers in the Test arena, Gayle who was able to laugh at himself said, “we all have to cry, once a man twice a child.”
Gayle went on to reassure the audience that this Test would not be his last. “I will be giving it 100%, just like the first time and there will be many more to come.”
Gayle began playing cricket at Rollington Town Primary school before going on to represent Excelsior High, Lucas Cricket Club, Jamaica and the West Indies.
He has 15 test centuries, 1 double century, 2 triple centuries and 34 half centuries, with the highest Test Century of 333 runs against Sri Lanka which he regards as his best ever innings of his Test career.
Gayle made his Test debut for the West Indies against Zimbabwe in Port of Spain on March 16th 2000 where he made 33 runs from 75 balls.
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