The ‘Universe boss’ Chris Gayle has credited a pep talk from captain, Kieron Pollard for his vital half century in the third T20I against Australia Monday night.
Gayle smashed seven sixes and four fours on his way to a 38-ball 67 to see West Indies chase down 142 in 14.5 overs and establish an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match T20I series against Australia.
“The captain just gave me a great reminder to go and express yourself Chris and I’m glad it actually paid off tonight,” Gayle said after the match.
This was the first time Gayle had reached a half-century score in 20 International innings following his unbeaten 100 against England in Mumbai, India in 2016.
In fact, that century was Gayle’s third consecutive 50-plus score.
“It’s good to be among the runs,” he declared.
“Yes it is a relief. Any batter who hasn’t been among the runs for quite some time now will definitely want to be on the runs side of things,” he said adding..”I’m happy I got that today but it couldn’t be possible without my teammates.”
Gayle said he was grateful to Pollard for showing faith in him.
“It doesn’t matter how big of a player I am. The captain Kieron Pollard, stood up in the meeting today and expressed himself, how important, he is backing me to go out there, play the cricket Chris Gayle is accustomed playing. So you know getting the backing from the teammate, senior guys like Dwayne Bravo, stand in captain Nicholas Pooran as well.”
Gayle disclosed that Pollard’s inspirational message gave him goose bumps, having captained Pollard in the past.
The opener, who is now adjusting to his new role at number three in the batting order contended that he was trying something new and totally different from his game as he looked to bat as long as possible and work the ones and twos.
Gayle navigated past extensive criticisms in the public domain, a lot of which he was aware of to solidify himself as the top run getter in T20s. the left hander surpassed 14,000 runs, more than 3000 runs ahead of second highest run scorer, Pollard.
Speaking on the feat Gayle said, “It’s a great achievement, to score 14,000 T20 runs is fantastic, I maybe have to try and set myself a target to look for 15,000…it’s pleasing to be the first person to get 14,000 runs especially on a winning note as well and scoring a half century as well and we win the series as well…hopefully a lot more runs to come.”
His 22 centuries remain the most by any batsman including his unbeaten 175 back in 2013, which is still a record score.
Gayle’s innings on Monday was the 109th time he got a score in excess of 50, 19 ahead of David Warner who has 90 50-plus scores. The ‘Universe boss’ also holds the record for most sixes (1028) and most fours (1083) in a career.
