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Just respect the Universe Boss - Chris Gayle aims World Cup spot after series victory

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Universe Boss Chris Gayle was back not only with the bat in hand but also with the microphone at the post-match presentation after clobbering Australia all-around the park in St Lucia. Gayle set the platform for a convincing victory for the home team to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the 5 match series. After scoring a 37-ball 67, Chris Gayle took a direct dig at the commentators and pundits questioning him for lack of run-scoring form and asked them to let him enjoy the game at this ripe age of 42 and make peace with him missing out on occasions. 


The greatest ever T20 batsman to have graced the game, Gayle completed 14,000 T20 runs during the innings becoming the first to achieve that humungous landmark. Gayle is eyeing the T20 World Cup and wants to leave an impression in the showpiece event slated to be played in UAE later this year. 


"My main focus is the World Cup," he said at the post-match presentation ceremony. "Don't mind the numbers, Chris Gayle not getting the runs, soon to be 42. You guys should be happy to see Chris Gayle on the field still, hopefully, Chris will last as long as possible. Cherish those moments, commentators don't put up no stats about Chris Gayle not scoring a half-century. Just respect the Universe Boss, let him play cricket and have some fun. Enjoy the moment with Chris Gayle, a strong West Indies team and some good youngsters," Gayle added. 


Coming into the third encounter, Gayle was woefully out of touch and several ex-cricketers had questioned his place in the side. However, Gayle responded in a fashion which only he can. Unlike most occasions where he takes a little time to get going, Gayle looked to unsettle the Aussie bowlers right from the outset taking Josh Hazlewood apart in the second over yielding 18 runs in 4 deliveries to set the ball rolling for the run-chase. 


After a period of lull in the middle overs, Gayle hammered Adam Zampa for three consecutive sixes before demolishing Riley Meredith for two sixes in the 13th over. He eventually perished in the same over going for another maximum. However, the job was almost done by then with the hosts requiring just 30 odd runs with more than 7 overs remaining. 


The hard-hitting left-hander thanked regular skipper Kieron Pollard for showing faith in him and for making him understand his value in the team during a pep talk ahead of the encounter. The reception which Gayle received following his dismissal shows how popular he is in the dressing room. He dedicated his comeback knock to his teammates, Kieron Pollard in particular.  


"It's a great journey," he said at the presentation ceremony. "I'm so happy and so pleased to get a series win first of all. I just want to commend the stand-in captain Nicholas Pooran for winning a fantastic series against a great team. To Kieron Pollard, he played a big part as well even though he played in none of these games. You all knew I was struggling with the bat and to be able to get some runs today was very pleasing."


"I want to dedicate this half-century and milestone to West Indies, my teammates, especially Kieron Pollard. We had a team meeting before the game and...he let me know where I stand within this team and he wanted me to go and express myself. So I'm very grateful for that pep talk because sometimes it doesn't matter how great you are, you need a bit of a talk sometimes,” he concluded. 

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