Chris Gayle’s Top 3 Performances in Test Cricket

Chris Gayle is one of the most loved batters for his dashing stroke play. The former West Indian star had the ability to take any opposition and put them to shame on his day. The left-handed batter established a lot of records for his national side and also went on to rule the cricketing fields for two decades. 

After making his Test debut in 2000, Chris Gayle went on to become a huge part of his side for the next 14 years. His final-ever game in the longest format came in front of his home crowd in Jamaica. 

Chris Gayle also went on to skipper his side in 20 games. His time as the captain though wasn’t memorable. From the 20 games he led his side, Gayle won just 3 matches and lost 8 matches while 9 games were drawn. 

Here are the top three performances of Chris Gayle in Test cricket 

3- 204 vs New Zealand – Grenada -2002

The second Test match between New Zealand and West Indies ended in a draw. Batting first the visiting side scored 373 with Scott Styris top scoring with 107. Mark Richardson (95) and Nathan Astle (69) were the top scorers. In reply the home team scored 470 to take a lead of 97. 

Chris Gayle made his first significant score in the Test format with 204 runs from 332 with 29 runs and 2 sixes. The next best scorer for the home team was Shivnarine Chanderpaul with 51. The Kiwis scored 256 in their 2nd innings before the match was called off. 

2- 317 vs South Africa – Antigua -2005

During the 2005 Test match against South Africa, batting star Chris Gayle decided to make the game his own. The visitors batted first and scored a massive 589 on the board with four batters scoring centuries. Jacques Kallis was the best batter with 147, along with tons by Graeme Smith, AB De Villiers, and Ashwell Prince. 

In response, West Indies scored a massive 747 on the board. Ramnaresh Sarwan and Chanderpaul scored 127 each. Dwayne Bravo scored 107 off 235 balls for the home team. The best batter was none other than Chris Gayle who scored 317 off 483 balls with 37 fours and 3 sixes. 

1- 333 vs Sri Lanka -Galle -2010 

For fans who often wonder why Chris Gayle wears 333 as his jersey number that is because that is his best score in Test cricket. The feat was achieved during a Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle in 2010. The visiting side batted first and scored 580 with Chris Gayle scoring 333 off 437 balls with 34 fours and 9 sixes. His innings ended when he was bowled by Ajantha Mendis. 

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 378 in their reply with four batters scoring fifties. Shane Shillingford was the best bowler with 4 wickets. Asked to follow the home team scored 241/4 before the game ended in a draw as Chris Gayle was given the man of the match. 

Read More: Chris Gayle became the first batter to score a double hundred in ODI World Cup