West Indies brush aside Chris Gayle's sentimentality, do not pick him for Tests

After the end of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, there was widespread speculation that Chris Gayle, the self-proclaimed Universe Boss would retire from all forms of cricket. However, in a surprise move, Gayle decided to make himself available for the three-match ODI series against India. In the first match at Guyana, Gayle broke Brian Lara's record for the most ODIs for West Indies and heading into the second ODI, the left-hander is on course to not only become the first Windies player to play 300 ODIs but also to become the leading run-getter for the West Indies in this format. 

Having returned to the ODI side, there was hopes that Gayle would play one last Test in front of his home fans during the Test in Jamaica on August 30. However, Gayle, who last played the last of his 103 Tests in 2014 against New Zealand in 2014, was overlooked for the two-match series. With so much sentimentality potentially for Gayle's potential final appearance in the Caribbean, a Test match would have been ideal for Gayle to sign off but the selectors have avoided taking the left-hander in the side.

The move to leave out Gayle for the Test has found support from former West Indies pacer Curtly Ambrose, who has said Gayle is setting the wrong example. "Gayle hasn't played Test matches for five years. There you go. Bringing him back for one Test, I think, is a step backward. What kind of message are you sending to the younger players? ODIs and T20s are not a problem as he still is a destructive player but Test matches, no, definitely no," Ambrose said.

Gayle has made 7,214 runs in Test cricket with a highest score of 333 but his career in recent years has been confined to white-ball cricket and franchise T20 leagues. Despite the second of the two-Test series against India being played at his home ground of Sabina Park in Jamaica from August 30-September 3, it looks like Gayle's final international appearance in the Caribbean will instead be next Wednesday in the third ODI in Port of Spain.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Chris Gayle last played a Test in 2014.
• Gayle has played 103 Tests in his playing career.
• Chris Gayle has had an ODI career spanning 20 years.