By Ravendra Madholall in Toronto
For the three-match test series against New Zealand, opener Chris Gayle is an automatic choice for hosts West Indies when the first-game collision begins on June 8.
Chris Gayle will become the ninth West Indian to play 100 test matches when Windies take on New Zealand next month. Photo: AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena
Sabina Park in Jamaica is the venue and it is fitting to see one of the game’s pugnacious contemporary cricketers will take guard on home pitch to accomplish this landmark of 100 test appearances.
As a celebrated athlete, Gayle will be the ninth West Indies players to achieve the milestone. Joining the illustrious list will certainly be an extraordinary privilege for the aggressive left-hander.
The 34-year-old batsman has established himself as one of the most admirable batsmen in all three versions and more handsomely the T20 format.
Undoubtedly, spectators at different venues across the globe attend to witness his belligerent approach. The former West Indies skipper created a great impression in the five-day game too scoring a triple-century (333).
His talent was never in question to emulate some of the distinguished West Indies stalwarts to reach this three-figure mark. Only players with brilliance have gone over the boundary.
Guyanese veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul leads the way with 153 tests and is still a current member of the team at the age of 39.
Gayle’s compatriot Courtney Walsh was one of West Indies most dynamic and fearsome fast-bowlers representing the region in an astonishing 132 matches claiming 519 wickets.
Gayle can count himself lucky to play alongside Brian Lara, the Trinidadian who had an unbelievable and fascinating test career. Lara still holds the highest individual score of 400 not out and he would have featured in 131 tests before his retirement in 2006.
Vivian Richards who continues to play a pivotal role in the Caribbean team’s development carved out 121 tests with an average of 50.23 scoring 8540 runs. The destructive right-hander was deemed one of the best attacking and intimidating batsmen to ever play the sport.
West Indies definitely enjoyed the services of their two most productive openers Desmond Haynes and his fellow Barbadian Gordon Greenidge.
Both players laid the foundation on numerous occasions and played in 116 and 108 tests respectively to help churn out sufficient victory targets.
He was always respected for his astute leadership qualities and will be remembered too for his longevity in the game. Clive Lloyd led from the front and his 110-test appearances were testimonies to his beautiful cricketing ability as well.
During his presence, everyone was talking about his batting technique and the elegant Carl Hopper played a number of magnificent innings and participated in countless partnerships in his 102 test caps that spanned a decade and half.
Once Gayle is selected for this opening encounter, New Zealand should welcome another West Indies accumulator and hero.
List of West Indian cricketers to play 100 tests: (S. Chanderpaul 153 [still playing], C. Walsh 132, B. Lara 131, V. Richards 121, D. Haynes 116, C. Lloyd 110, G. Greenidge 108 and C. Hooper 102).