West Indies recall Gayle for one-off T20I

Thursday, 6 July 2017 00:38 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

ESPNcricinfo: West Indies have recalled Chris Gayle to their 13-man squad for the one-off T20I against India. The match is set to take place in Gayle’s home ground of Sabina Park in Jamaica. Gayle came in at the expense of Lendl Simmons, who scored 6, 17* and 15 in the series against Afghanistan, West Indies’ last T20 assignment. Jason Holder, the Test and ODI captain, who did not feature in that series, has been rested again.

Gayle last turned out in West Indies colours in the 2016 World T20 final against England at Eden Gardens.

He is West Indies’ highest scorer in the shortest format with 1519 runs at 35.32, including two centuries and a strike rate of 145.49. He has never played a T20I at Sabina Park.

“We welcome Chris back to the T20 squad. He is the most prolific batsman in this format and will add value to our team at the top of the order,” Courtney Browne, Cricket West Indies’ chairman of selectors, said. “He will get the chance to play on his home ground and against a top-quality Indian team.”

West Indies are currently engaged in a five-match ODI series that India are leading 2-1. They will chase a series-levelling win in the fifth and final match in Jamaica before the two teams clash in the one-off T20I on Sunday.