Chris Gayle announces he will retire from ODIs after ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

Chris Gayle, West Indies' hard-hitting opener, announced that he will retire from one-day internationals (ODIs) after the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. West Indies recently recalled Gayle for the first two one-day internationals against England in preparation for this year's World Cup. The 39-year-old batsman last played for West Indies during a home series against Bangladesh last July, and could renew an explosive opening partnership alongside Evin Lewis. Lewis and Gayle both missed the recent ODI series in India and Bangladesh but have been included as part of a 14-man squad that saw left-handed batsman Nicholas Pooran called up for the first time.

Gayle holds the West Indian record for most ODI hundreds with 23, and is their second-leading runscorer in the 50-over format with 9,727 runs -- trailing only Brian Lara (10,405). His 215 against Zimbabwe in the 2015 World Cup also represents the highest limited-overs score by a West Indies batsman.