Chris Gayle News: 'Universe Boss' breaks Shahid Afridi's record
What's the story?
Explosive Windies opener Chris Gayle made a stellar comeback to the international circuit with a century in the opening ODI against England. The 39-year-old started off slowly and steadied the ship mid-way into the innings. He got a life when Jason Roy dropped him off Liam Plunkett, and it turned out to be costly.
Gayle hit a total of 12 sixes, and in the process broke former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi's record for most number of sixes in international cricket.
The southpaw overhauled Afridi's long-standing tally of 476 sixes. Gayle went down the track and hit Moeen Ali for a maximum in the 14th over to achieve the feat. He scored 135 runs off 129 balls.
In case you didn't know...
Courtesy Gayle's brilliance, West Indies put up a solid total of 360/8. Shai Hope made 64 off 65 balls. For England, Ben Stokes scalped three wickets. But all the effort went in vain as England put up a brilliant chase to record their most successful chase in ODIs. Opener Jason Roy took matters in his own hands and hit a robust 85-ball 123; Joe Root joined hands and made 102 off 97 balls.
Skipper Eoin Morgan contributed with 65 runs as the hosts had no answer to the blows. Spinner Devendra Bishoo was the most expensive bowler for the Windies. He conceded 78 runs and picked mere one wicket. Captain Jason Holder was the most economical bowler as he picked a couple of wickets and gave away 63 runs.
The heart of the matter
Gayle now tops the chart for most number of sixes at the international level. He is followed by Pakistan's Shahid Afridi. New Zealand's wicket-keeper batsman Brendon McCullum is at the third spot with 398 sixes while Sri Lanka's legendary opener Sanath Jayasuriya is placed at the fourth spot with 352 sixes.
India's elegant batsman Rohit Sharma completes the top five chart with 349 sixes. Out of the top five players, only Gayle and Rohit are still active at the international circuit.
Most sixes across all formats in international cricket
#1 Chris Gayle- 477 sixes
#2 Shahid Afridi- 476 sixes
#3 Brendon McCullum- 398 sixes
#4 Sanath Jayasuriya- 352 sixes
#5 Rohit Sharma- 349 sixes
What's next?
Even though West Indies would be gutted to have lost the game after posting 360 on the board, Gayle's blistering hundred will go down as one of the positives for the hosts as they prepare for the World Cup. The veteran has already announced that the global event will be his last in ODIs and therefore everyone would expect him to hang up his boots on a high.