Chris Gayle

Christopher (Chris) Henry Gayle (born September 21, 1979 in Kingston, Jamaica) is a West Indian cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman who can bowl right-arm off spin when called upon. He is of strapping frame with a bleach-white smile that belies a tendency to flay opposition bowling to all parts of the ground. Moreover, his lusty hitting through point, coupled with a Jamaican swagger unseen since Michael Holding prowled the streets Kingston make him a fierce proposition in the modern game.

Related Topics:
September 21 - 1979 - Kingston, Jamaica - West Indian - Cricket - Off spin

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Gayle has attempted to cultivate a persona of West Indian cool, and to this end has adopted silver sunglasses and sleek white shoes as part of his uniform. His bowling and throwing styles, both of which ooze class, grace and a degree of indifference that is fashionable without being arrogant, cause him to stand out on a cricket pitch. In the words of renowned historian and cricket connoisseur Nimajneb SaXXX from the Federation of Micronesia, he is 'da man'.

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Gayle played for the West Indies at youth international level after he made his first-class debut aged 19 for Jamaica. He played his first one-day international 11 months later, and his first Test match 6 months after that.

Related Topics:
First-class - Jamaica - One-day international - Test match

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Gayle, who normally opens the innings when he plays for the West Indies, is a destructive batsman who is most effective playing square of the wicket. In July 2001, Gayle (175), together with Darren Ganga (89) established the record for opening partnerships at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo when they put on 214 together against Zimbabwe.

Related Topics:
2001 - Darren Ganga - Queens Sports Club - Bulawayo - Zimbabwe

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However, generally speaking he had a slow start to his international career, but invigorated it in 2002, ending the year with three centuries against India in November and becoming the fourth West Indian to score 1,000 runs in a calendar year.

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In 2005 Gayle was involved in the dispute between the West Indies Cricket Board and a number of players over sponsorship issues. These players had personal sponsorship deals with Cable and Wireless, who used to sponsor West Indian cricket. However, the West Indies are now sponsored by C&W's rivals Digicel and the WICB demanded the players dropped C&W. After one Test match where all the players were dropped, Gayle cut his C&W deal and rejoined the Test side for the second Test against South Africa. However, he had a poor series until the fourth Test, where he made his career-best: a match-saving 317.

Related Topics:
2005 - Cable and Wireless - Digicel - South Africa

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In August 2005, Gayle joined Worcestershire for the rest of the English season.

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