Gayle will retire from ODIS after World Cup

Veteran returns to fold for England series Spectacular batsman keen to play in Hundred

Chris Gayle, as ebullient as ever, yesterday announced that he would retire from one-day internationals after this summer’s World Cup in England.

The batsman who revels in the nickname the “Universe Boss” is about to enter the final furlong of his international career when he plays for the West Indies in the ODI series against England that starts on Wednesday.

“It is good to be back with the boys and playing against England,” he said. “I’m always looking to put on a show. England fans love to see the Universe Boss exploding and entertaining you guys as much as possible.”

For Gayle, like for his side, the five ODIS against England are essential preparation for the main event, the World Cup, which starts on May 30.

“It is a big year for me. I hope 2019 can finish for me on a great note. It started well with various tournaments but being back in West Indies colours is the most important,” he said.

Gayle has not played for the West Indies since last July – he has missed matches subsequently to play in foreign leagues – and confirmed that the ODI World Cup would mark the end of his 50-over career. “In 50-over cricket, definitely the World Cup. I’m looking to draw the line there – or should I say cut the string – let the youngsters have some fun and I can sit back in the party stand and watch them have some fun.”

Winning the World Cup – he has never even reached the semi-finals in his four previous appearances – would be the perfect denouement to Gayle’s ODI career. “Absolutely, the youngsters owe it to me,” he joked. “They have to do that for me and try and get me the trophy.”

For all that Gayle is best-known for his T20 career, his one-day record also stands measure with the best. He needs another 273 runs to reach 10,000. In the 2015 World Cup, he scored 215 against Zimbabwe, his first double century in ODI cricket. Gayle remains the holder of a unique 3-2-1 in international cricket – a Test match triple century (he has two), an ODI double century and a T20 international century (he also has two).

That he is still playing international cricket, seven months before he turns 40, reflects his self-knowledge about his game, easily overlooked when there is so much focus on all the pizzazz of his lifestyle. “I’m in good condition,” he said. “The body is feeling good and I’m pleased with that. I have lost a bit of weight. I’m still working on my six pack.

“Any bowler is going to beware of Chris Gayle. That doesn’t change because he is 39 now, they are going to be saying, ‘Yes, he’s got some grey hairs in his beard, let’s get him now, this is the perfect time to get the Universe Boss now he is 39’.

“I’ll be bringing some experience to play and sharing that with the youngsters and I hope to enjoy the next couple of months with the West Indies cricket team.”

Gayle may carry on playing T20 internationals until the next T20 World Cup, in Australia in October 2020. Before then, he hopes to play in the inaugural Hundred tournament, which launches in England in the summer of 2020.

“I guess England should invite me over. Then I’ll explode the tournament and say ‘thank you guys; bring in a youngster now. I set the trend for you like I did in all tournaments around the world’. Fingers crossed; we’ll see what happens.”

Before then, Gayle hopes that the West Indies will provide an encore of their performances in the Test series, which they won 2-1.

“This first game will be very important. If we get on top of them it can change the series,” he said. “They have the best team in ODI cricket right now, on paper. But it’s how you play on the day and as a unit we’re playing good cricket, we’re on home soil and hopefully we can stamp our authority.”

The looming ODI series will be the last with Paul Farbrace as England’s assistant coach. He will leave after the tour of the Caribbean to become Warwickshire’s sport director.

“It is a huge wrench,” he said. “I found it hard telling one or two people. Walking away from this setup is difficult. It’s not something I have done lightly.”

His departure leaves England needing to recruit a replacement in time for the World Cup and Ashes this summer. Paul Collingwood, who is in the Caribbean and has done a number of stints with the side over the past five years, is considered the favourite for the job.