BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - CRICKET WEST INDIES selectors have appointed Shai Hope and Chris Gayle as vice captains of the West Indies team for the current Ireland Tri-Nation Series and ICC Cricket World Cup, respectively.
Gayle, the highly experienced 39-year-old opener and former WI captain, will be Jason Holder’s deputy for the ICC Cricket World Cup to be played in England and Wales from May 30 to July 14.
The 2019 World Cup is likely to be the left hander’s last 50 over tournament, as he had already announced his imminent retirement from the game at the international level.
Gayle has played 289 matches scoring 10,151 runs averaging 38.16, including 25 centuries and 51 half centuries. His career best is 215 against Zimbabwe during the ICC World Cup four years ago – the highest score by a West Indian in this format.
“It is always an honour to represent the West Indies in any format and this World Cup for me is special. As a senior player, it is my responsibility to support the captain and everyone else in the team. This will probably be the biggest World Cup, so there will be great expectations and I know we will do very well for the people of the West Indies”, Gayle said.
Meanwhile, Hope, the wicket-keeper/batsman was named as Holder’s deputy for the ODI Tri-Nation Series which started on Sunday (May 5).
The 25-year-old played his 50th match for the West Indies on Sunday and has so far scored 1,947 runs (average 48.67) including five centuries.
“It’s a tremendous honour to be appointed vice captain for this series here in Ireland. Ahead of this tournament I was asked to take on this role and I was happy to accept. Anything I’m asked to do for West Indies cricket I’m always happy and willing to put my hand up, so this is great,” Hope said.
The West Indies started the Tri-Nation Series on Sunday when they defeated Ireland by 196 runs at the picturesque Clontarf Ground.
