West Indies vs England: Chris Gayle scripted these ODI records
Veteran Chris Gayle showed his flair with the bat after smashing 424 runs versus England in the five-match ODI series. Post this performance, the 39-year-old will go to the ICC World Cup 2019 with plenty of confidence. Gayle hit two tons and two fifties in a record-breaking series, as he was adjudged the Player of the Series. Here are the records which he scripted.
Gayle smashes fastest career ODI fifty
In the fifth ODI, the 'Universe Boss' slammed a 19-ball fifty. It was Gayle's fastest ODI fifty and he also became the quickest half-centurion for West Indies. Gayle surpassed Darren Sammy's record of scoring a fifty in 20 balls. He achieved against South Africa in 2010. The southpaw ended up smashing 77 from 29 balls that included five fours and nine sixes.
Gayle now has most sixes in a bilateral ODI series
Gayle now has the most sixes in a bilateral ODI series (39). He surpassed the record held by Indian batsman Rohit Sharma (23), who achieved the feat against Australia at home in 2013. He now has a staggering 84 sixes in 35 ODIs against England. This is the most by any player against an opponent. He surpassed Rohit's tally of 66 against Australia.
Gayle second oldest to win Player of the Series award
Gayle is now the second oldest to win a Man of the Series award in ODIs (39 years and 162 days). The record belongs to South Africa's Imran Tahir, who was 39 years & 193 days old when he bagged the prize against Zimbabwe (2018).
Gayle went past 10,000 runs in ODIs
Chris Gayle went on to complete 10,000 runs in ODIs. He now has 10,151 runs in this format. Gayle became only the 14th cricketer to go past 10,000-plus ODI runs. He is also just the second West Indian after Brian Lara (10,405) to achieve this feat. The southpaw now has 25 ODI hundreds. He equalled legends Kumar Sangakkara and AB de Villiers (both 25).
Gayle also amassed fastest career ODI hundred
Gayle had brought up his hundred in the fourth ODI in just 55 balls. It was his fastest ton in ODIs. He amassed scores of 135, 50, 162 and 77 in the series. The 39-year-old also went past 500 sixes in international cricket. Gayle went past 300 career sixes in ODIs (314). Only Shahid Afridi is above Gayle (351). Gayle also has 51 fifties.
Gayle hinted at U-turn on ODI retirement as well
Gayle had earlier claimed that he will retire from ODI cricket after the ICC World Cup 2019. But then in between the series, he hinted at making U-turn on ODI retirement. The left-handed batsman said, "I just have to work on the body. What's the matter with the body? I'm nearly 40. But could I un-retire? We'll see. We'll take it slowly."
