Chris Gayle's 100th Test: The most destructive batsmen Test cricket has ever seen?

As soon as i came to know of a test series being played, my mind wandered to the last international test match that was played. It was 95 days since the last Test (March 5th in Cape Town), one of the longest absence of Test cricket that doesn’t involve an ODI World Cup since 1973!! (Source : Cricinfo) Credit doesnt just go to IPL, but T20 cricket in general.

Test cricket lovers must be happy to watch their favourite form of the game. But the eyes were on Christopher Henry Gayle, known as Chris Gayle. But why ? It is because the Jamaican left hander is appearing in his 100th test at kingston in West Indies against New Zealand. 100 test is no easy achievement. It is a different club altogether. It will be difficult to recall the last West Indian who joined this club. This itself tells you a lot about his character.

Chris Gayle`s batting style does not really seem to match the format of Test Cricket but this man has still achieved the feat of 100 tests after debuting in 2000 against Zimbabwe. Gayle is an attacking batsman and is known for his ferocious hitting. Let us look at his test record. gayle has amassed a total of 6933 runs in his 99 tests before this test with an average of 42. He has hit 15 centuries with his best of 333 coming against Sri Lanka in galle which used to be Muralitharan`s Den.

If we compare him with some other attacking batsman in world cricket, the first name that comes up is of Virender Sehwag. Sehwag has been regarded as one of the most dangerous test batsman. He does not have any sound technique but has a great hand and eye co-ordination. Similarly Gayle does not have any sound technique and scores runs through his sheer power. Same can be said for the Aussie opener David Warner. All these three batsmen create an aura around themselves that intimidates the bowlers.

According to me, David Warner stands out among the three because of his recent form as well as the impact he has had in the recent past. I would have taken Sehwag`s name if he had been currently playing the test format. It is a dent to his name to be out for so long from test cricket where he was one of the most important member of the Indian Test team. Chris Gayle for me stands out as one amazing hitter of the ball, but I would not call him the most destructive batsman in test cricket. He has hardly won his team test matches be it at home or away. I think that is something he himself must be looking forward to.
All the best Chris Gayle.