Gayle targets 100 after summer ODI exit

CHRIS GAYLE has confirmed he will retire from one-day internationals after this summer’s World Cup – but is willing to lend his star power to the ECB’s new 100-ball competition.

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

Gayle (left), preparing to take on England in a five-match series starting in Barbados on Wednesday, said: “In 50-over ® from DEAN WILSON

in BARBADOS cricket, definitely the World Cup is the end.

“I’m looking to draw the line there – let the youngsters have some fun and I can sit back in the party stand and watch them.

“It is a big year for me, to be honest. I hope 2019 can finish for me on a great note.”

Gayle will continue to be available for T20s, banking a regular stream of franchise deals and a short-form World Cup in Australia in 2020, and he is open to the ECB’s new tournament.

The 100-ball competition will also start in 2020 and Gayle says he’d be happy to bring his own unique brand of entertainment.

“Well, if I don’t start it, it won’t be a tournament,” he said.

“I guess England should invite me over. I’ll set the trend for you like I did in all tournaments around the world.”

The ECB is keen to attract more women and families 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 event since being dropped by Melbourne Renegades following a pitch-side interview with Mel McLaughlin, during which he told her: “Don’t blush, baby.”

Gayle needs just 273 runs to become only the second West Indian, after Brian Lara, to reach 10,000 ODI runs.