Gayle Aims To Score Big In 100th Test

The first Test against New Zealand at Kingston is set to be a landmark event in Chris Gayle's career as he will become the ninth batsman from West Indies to play in 100 Tests. The big-hitting Jamaican is looking forward to play at Sabina Park, in front of his home crowd with friends and family in attendance.

"This is a huge milestone, this is very special and something I'm really looking forward to. It all started in Rollington Town – I used to play cricket on the street then I moved to Lucas Cricket Club and here I am today about to play my 100th Test match for the West Indies," Gayle said in a West Indies Cricket Board media release on Saturday.

"Now I've reached my 100th match and it is special because it is at home. Sabina Park is my favourite ground. It has changed a bit over the years and it's very special to play cricket here at home with my family, friends and supporters in the crowd, I always love playing at home and Sunday's match will have great significance for me.

"I'm looking forward to it and I also want to have a huge performance. I'm sure the fans will be thrilled to see this occasion on television across the Caribbean and around the world. They have been very supportive throughout the years – when I have had my ups and downs," Gayle said.

Gayle recalled how he got emotional when he made his Test debut for West Indies sharing the dressing room with legends like Courtney Walsh and Courtney Ambrose back in 2000. "When I look back I have come a long way. In my first match I was a bit nervous, but then I had played a few ODIs before so I settled down pretty well. I remember it very well. I even shed tears. To share a dressing room with Ambrose and Walsh – and being at first slip with the two big men bowling and hitting edges and me taking a few catches – was very good for me," he said.

Gayle is one of the five batsmen to have scored two triple centuries in Tests. His first triple ton came against South Africa in 2005 when he scored 317 and then he repeated the feat against Sri Lanka five years later recording 333 runs – which is his highest in Tests. Gayle rates the knock against Sri Lanka as his best innings considering his form prior to that innings. "That innings stands out in my mind and I put it at Number one. Over the years, playing against Sri Lanka, I didn't get a lot of runs.

"I had a terrible series there before – I was dismissed by Chaminda Vaas five times out of six – my highest score was 47 – and I was never dominant against them. When I got the first century I lied flat on the ground and I told myself I wanted to make it a 'big one'. I pushed for it and got the triple century," he said.