Plenty still left in the tank: Gayle after 14,000-run landmark in T20s

Gros Islet (St Lucia), July 13 (IANS): West Indies batsman Chris Gayle, who became the first batsman to reach the 14,000-run landmark in T20s as the hosts defeated Australia in the third T20I here on Tuesday (IST), said there was still “plenty left in the tank” and “there were a lot more runs still to come”.

Gayle smashed seven sixes and four fours as he top-scored for the West Indies, who clinched the series with two matches still to be played.

Gayle powered his way to 67 off 38 balls as West Indies easily made 142/4 off 14.5 overs in reply to Australia’s 141/6 off 20 overs.

The West Indian became the first batsman to score 14,000 T20 runs as he registered his 14th T20I half-century for the country.

“It’s a great achievement to achieve 14,000 T20 runs… its fantastic. I may give myself some target, say till up to 15 (thousand runs) now. It’s very pleasing to become the first person to get 14,000 T20 runs, especially on a winning note as well, and scoring a half century as well, and win the series too. It’s fantastic.

“A lot more runs to come and showcase what I am still capable of… still plenty left in the tank,” said Gayle, who scored only 4 and 13 respectively in the first two T20Is.

“It’s good to be amongst the runs; yes it’s a relief… I haven’t been amongst the runs for quite some time now. I’m happy I got that today but it wouldn’t have been possible without my teammates, who encouraged me.

“The captain Kieron Pollard stood up in the meeting today and expressed himself and how important he’s backing me to go there and play cricket that Chris Gayle is accustomed playing. Getting the backing from the teammates, senior guys like Dwayne Bravo and Nicholas Pooran, the stand-in captain… it was actually goosebumps when Pollard was talking in the dressing room,” added Gayle.

“The captain (Pollard) gave me a great reminder to just go and express yourself, and I’m glad it actually paid off tonight.”