MANCHESTER: Chris Gayle says he deserves to be considered alongside the greats of West Indies cricket but is refusing to set a definite date for his retirement.

The swashbuckling opener is still hoping the West Indies can sneak into the World Cup semi-finals, with India next in line at Old Trafford on Thursday, but the odds are stacked heavily against them.

Self-styled ‘Universe Boss’ Gayle, who hit 87 in his team’s heartbreaking five-run loss to New Zealand on Saturday, said he would always cherish his two decades playing for the West Indies.

“I’m definitely up there with the greats, without a doubt. Like I say, I enjoy each and every moment playing for West Indies,” Gayle said on Wednesday. “It’s still not the end. I still have a few games to go. Maybe another series to go. Who knows? We’ll see what happens.”

“I started my career with the likes of Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose,” he added. “You watch them on TV and you realise they’re in the dressing room, it’s just a bunch of guys.”

The 39-year-old had previously hinted he could retire from One-day International cricket after the World Cup but then prevaricated following a run-filled series against England.

Published in Dawn, June 27th, 2019