Chris Gayle joins St Lucia Zouks for the 8th season of Caribbean Premier League (CPL 2020). Jamaica Tallawahs released Chris Gayle after leading in CPL 2019. He had led the Jamaica Tallawahs to the two CPL title (2013 & 2016) and played in the final with the Patriots in 2017.
IPL Franchise Kings XI Punjab’s parent company, KPH Dream Cricket, purchased St Lucia Zouks in February and changed the name from St Lucia Stars to St Lucia Zouks. Also appointed Andy Flower as head coach. Chris Gayle also plays for Kings XI Punjab in IPL.
“This is great news for St Lucia Zouks and for me as a captain to have the universe boss on my side. Chris is one of the most successful T20 batsmen in the world and with his experience with our young openers, a lot can be learnt from Chris,” St Lucia Zouks captain Daren Sammy said.
“I welcome him to the Zouks Franchise. Chris will be in St Lucia and the fans will be happy and the fact that Jamaica has released him. I will have a motivated Chris Gayle looking to prove a point that he is one of the leading T20 batsmen in the world. I can’t wait for CPL 2020 and hopefully, the coronavirus will be under control and we can have an exciting T20 tournament. Welcome home, Chris Gayle!,” he added.
Talking about the Chris Gayle inclusion into the team, St Lucia coach Andy Flower said, “It’s brilliant news that we have been able to get Chris Gayle with us at this year’s CPL 2020. I have got a long association with Chris running all the way back to his debut Test match in Trinidad back in 2000. I’ve seen his exploits in all three forms of the game and I am really looking forward to working with him and Daren Sammy toward a special year for St Lucia cricket.”
Chris Gayle is the highest run-scorer of the CPL, scored 2344 runs in 74 innings at an average of 39.23. Gayle also shares the record of the highest number of hundreds in CPL with Dwayne Smith; both scoring fours centuries.
CPL 2020 is scheduled between August 19 and September 26 and the organisers are monitoring coronavirus pandemic situation and liaising with medical advisors and governments.
