‘Aging’ Chris Gayle Optimistic About Playing For West Indies In The 2019 Cricket World Cup
Dec 31, 2018 at 1:56 PM
Chris Gayle, often generalised as a limited over bashers, has all the characteristics and charisma to pull the crowds to the stadium, even for a dead rubber. But, as luck would have it, of late, the West Indies star hasn’t been able to perform much in front of his fans in recent times. The WICB saga and his keen interest in freelancing around the world in T20 leagues as the T20 maverick has been a couple of reasons.
He last played an ODI back in 2015 against New Zealand in Wellington. His last Test appearance dates another year back in 2014 against Bangladesh in Kingston. His most recent T20 game was against India in the just concluded one-off series at Sabina Park, Kingston. This participation, however, came after more than year’s hiatus.
This absence is worrying for the fans but Gayle is assured of being a strong force despite all the hurdles.
An Intention to play the 2019 World Cup
At present all the top sides have their eyes set on the 2019 Cricket World Cup set to be held in England. West Indies, the current World Champions in the T20 format, are also fighting it out to ensure a direct qualification to the tournament.
At present they languishing at the No. 9 position in the ODI ranking making them ineligible to make it directly into the mega event. However, they are surely fighting against all odds to make sure they don’t have to play the qualifiers featuring the likes of Ireland, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe apart from other two associate nations.
Gayle, on the other hand, will not only be battling WICB’s selection policies but also his own age factor by the time the 2019 event arrives.
“If you have to continue, you have to be active as well. I might not play as many tournaments as before, but it is about picking and choosing the right tournaments. I know I will be pushing 40, but 2019 is just around the corner and I’m sure I will be around too. I want to help my team do well in the World Cup.”