Advertisement

Chris Gayle smacks huge ton before making latest outlandish claim

West Indies batsman Chris Gayle smashed a series of world records in a blistering hundred before declaring himself as a better batsman than Australian legend Sir Don Bradman.

Gayle went ballistic in the Bangladesh Premier League final, belting an unbeaten 146 from 69 deliveries as his Rangpur Riders scored an excellent 1-206.

The 38-year-old’s side won easily thanks to his effort, which included the following world records: Most sixes in a Twenty20 innings (18), highest score in a Twenty20 final, highest partnership in a Twenty20 final (201 with New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum), first player to reach 20 Twenty20 centuries, first player to reach 11,000 Twenty20 runs.

And Gayle’s innings should not be discounted because it came in the Bangladesh league, with some of the best short-form cricketers in the world – namely Sunil Narine, Shahid Afridi, Shakib Al Hasan and Kieron Pollard – all playing for the Dhaka Dynamites.

They were no match for Gayle and McCullum, though, who moved the Riders from 1-5 to the imposing total.

Gayle even got a bowl as Dhaka fell 57 runs short, finishing on 9-149.

Cricket journalist Mazher Arshad said afterwards that Gayle was asked if he considered himself as the Bradman of Twenty20’s – or the greatest Twenty20 batsman.

https://twitter.com/hafeezmohammed0/status/940810659859718144

Gayle responded: “No. I am actually the greatest batsman of all time.”

After the victory, Gayle, posting a video of himself with the trophy, said: “Give thanks to most high. Words can’t explain. Another title. Just giving thanks to everyone.”

And a string of Twitter tributes from cricket figures came his way.

https://twitter.com/Bazmccullum/status/940659565376430080

Gayle’s comments come less than two months after his friend, Donovan Miller, told a Sydney court he had noticed the star cricketer was “very reserved and scared” around people.

Miller’s comments came during a defamation trial which Gayle won against Fairfax Media.

Fairfax alleged Gayle exposed himself to a masseuse during the 2015 Cricket World Cup.

“At this point he’s very reserved and scared … especially with females, because he always thinks someone’s out to get him,” Miller said.

An Aussie return?

Gayle was not retained by his Big Bash League side the Melbourne Renegades after inappropriate comments he made to then-Network Ten presenter Mel McLaughlin.

Gayle was fined $10,000 and forced to apologise for his comments.

But current Renegades player and Australia veteran Brad Hogg suggested that he could return to the BBL soon.

“You want the best players available,” he said at a press conference.

“If he’s available then I don’t see no reason why he can’t come back.

“It’s disappointing what has happened in previous years but it’s up to everyone to pull their socks up and make sure that doesn’t happen down the track.”

Stay informed, daily
A FREE subscription to The New Daily arrives every morning and evening.
The New Daily is a trusted source of national news and information and is provided free for all Australians. Read our editorial charter
Copyright © 2024 The New Daily.
All rights reserved.