Chris Gayle is a Jamaican cricketer who is known for his destructive batting. People mainly know him for his demolition in T20 cricket, however, they forget that he is an equally good batsman in the longest format of the game as well. The ‘Universe Boss’ has played over 100 test matches for the West Indies and has scored over 7000 runs. In this article, we will have a look at his top ten test innings.
1. 107 Vs South Africa
In a match chiefly dominated by South Africa, Chris Gayle was the lone fighter for his team in the 4th test at Centurion in January, 2004. After scoring 77 runs in the first innings, Gayle scored his fourth test century in the second. His century came in just 159 balls and it comprised 17 boundaries. He had a strike-rate of over 67 in this innings. He tried his level best to save the test for his team, however the other batters disappointed tremendously and they lost the match by 10 wickets.
2. 116 Vs South Africa
In the third test of the same series at Cape Town, Gayle once again had a fabulous innings as he scored his third test ton. He faced just 120 balls to score 116 runs, having a very impressive strike-rate of above 96. He hit 20 boundaries and a huge six in this knock. Both the teams batted well in the game, which resulted in a draw.
3. 141 Vs Bangladesh
After a couple of centuries in South Africa, Gayle’s next test century came against Bangladesh in May, 2004 at St Lucia in the first test of the series between the two nations. In reply to Bangladesh’s impressive first innings total of 416, the West Indies were in a state of bother after losing their first wicket without any runs on the board. However, the other opener Chris Gayle did not disappoint his team as he scored yet another impressive century. His 141-run knock came in 293 balls, and comprised as many as 18 boundaries. He scored another impressive knock of 66 runs in the second innings which earned him the Man of the Match in the drawn match.
4. 150 Vs New Zealand
In reply to the Kiwi’s first innings total of 351 in the first test of the 2012 test series at Antigua, the West Indies went off to a flying start. Both the Windies openers went past the three-figure mark. Chris Gayle scored an impressive 150-run knock in 206 balls, scoring 17 fours and as many as 4 sixes, striking at a rate of 72.82. He helped his team reach a huge total of 522 in their first innings. The match however ended in a draw.
5. 165* Vs Australia
In the second test of West Indies’ tour of Australia at the Adelaide Oval in 2009, the ‘Universe Boss’ got to the three-figure mark once again, his 11th in test. This time, he scored an unbeaten knock of 165 runs in 285 balls, hitting 16 fours and a six as well. He was the lone warrior in the second innings of his team as he helped the West Indies get past the 300 mark. The match ended in a draw and Gayle was adjudged the Player of the Match.
6. 175 Vs Zimbabwe
The left-hander’s first-ever test century came in Bulawayo against Zimbabwe in the first test of the series in July, 2001. After dismissing the hosts for a meager total of just 155, Chris Gayle opened the Windies innings and got off to a fine start. He played a very vital knock of 175 runs in 255 balls, hitting as many as 34 boundaries in his innings. The other batters also contributed equally well and helped the West Indies establish a massive lead in their first innings, and thus winning the match by an innings and 176 runs. Chris Gayle was awarded the Man of the Match for his excellent batting.
7. 197 Vs New Zealand
Chris Gayle came very close to his third test double-century at McLean Park, Napier in the second test of the West Indies’ tour of New Zealand in December, 2008. In the second innings of the game, Chris Gayle was in sublime form as he scored 197 runs off 396 balls, before getting dismissed by Jeetan Patel, just three runs short of the double-century. He hit as many as 20 boundaries and 7 sixes in his innings. The match ended in a draw and Gayle was awarded the Man of the Match award for his excellent batting display.
8. 204 Vs New Zealand
The Jamaican lefty’s first test double-century came against the Kiwis at Grenada in the second test of the series in June, 2002. In reply to the visitor’s first innings total of 373, Chris Gayle reached this milestone in 332 balls, sending the ball 29 times to the boundary and hitting a couple of sixes as well. The match ended in a draw and quite obviously, Gayle was awarded the Man of the Match award.
9. 317 Vs South Africa
The West Indian’s first-ever triple-century in test cricket came against the Proteas in the fourth test of the series between the two nations at Antigua in April, 2005. South Africa posted a total of 588 in their first innings, in reply to which the hosts lost an early wicket of one of their openers. The other opener, Gayle however, contributed a mammoth 317 runs to their first innings total. His triple-century came in 483 balls, comprising 37 boundaries and 3 huge sixes. This stunning innings earned him the Man of the Match award in the match, which ended in a draw.
10. 333 Vs Srilanka
The innings that tops this list is an extraordinary triple-century the left-hander scored in the Asian island of Srilanka in November, 2010. After winning the toss and deciding to bat first at Galle, it was all about one man, Christopher Gayle. Facing 437 balls and hitting 34 fours and 9 huge sixes, Gayle registered his highest test score of 333. He had a strike-rate of above 75. The match ended in a draw, and the Jamaican was adjudged the Man of the Match for his exceptional batting.
