Chris Gayle, ICC World Cup 2019, Windies, Darren Sammy
Chris Gayle. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

The Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced Chris Gayle as the second-in-command of Jason Holder for the ICC World Cup 2019. The announcement was made on Monday, 6th May. The 39-year-old Windies opener prior to this led his team in 90 matches during 2007 and 2010.

With 18,992 international runs, Gayle has several records on his name in 103 Tests, 289 ODI and 58 T20I.

Gayle, who will be playing is last 50-over mega-tournament, will be advising Holder during the tournament. While being a senior player, he feels it as his responsibility to support his team.

“It is always an honour to represent the West Indies in any format, and this World Cup for me is special,” he said. “As a senior player, it is my responsibility to support the captain and everyone else in the team. This will probably be the biggest World Cup, so there will be great expectations, and I know we will do very well for the people of the West Indies.”

Shai Hopes is Jason’s Deputy for the ongoing Tri-series in Ireland

Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, ICC World Cup 2019
Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Gayle had been considered as one of the best batsmen for the T20 format. And, Gayle, has recently produced some decent performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

He played for Kings XI Punjab, who couldn’t qualify for the playoffs after finishing sixth on the table. The dreaded shortest format player ended up scoring 431 runs in 13 matches at a strike-rate of 153.60.

However, with him participating in the league, Gayle missed the ongoing tri-series in Ireland. The team, here, is competing with the hosts and Bangladesh. In his absence, Cricket West Indies named the wicket-keeper Shai Hopes as the deputy of Jason Holder. Hopes had his outstanding share of 152-ball 170 in the Windies’ 196 runs win in the opening match against Ireland.

Hopes also had his fair share in the 360-run opening stand with John Campbell, which was the highest in the format for the first wicket.

“It’s a tremendous honour to be appointed vice-captain for this series here in Ireland,” Hope said. “Ahead of this tournament, I was asked to take on this role and I was happy to accept. Anything I’m asked to do for West Indies cricket, I’m always happy and willing to put my hand up, so this is great.”

West Indies will go up against Bangladesh in their second ODI in Dubai on 7th May. However, they will step into the ICC Men’s World Cup 2019 on 31 May against Pakistan at Nottingham.