Gayle on a potential Test cricket return: "Maybe next year I'll try to take that challenge up. I'll see what happens."
Saturday 16 September 2017 21:57, UK
Chris Gayle has hinted that he could return to Test cricket, over three years since his last appearance for Windies in the five-day format.
Gayle, 37, played the last of his 103 Tests against Zimbabwe in 2014 but remains a key player for Windies in T20 cricket, helping them win the World T20 in India in 2016.
The Jamaican will also return to the Windies' 50-over side for the first time in over two years in the five-match series against England, starting at Old Trafford on Tuesday, and Gayle says his goal is to win another world trophy before retiring.
"Maybe next year I'll try to take that challenge up. I'll see what happens," Gayle told Sky Sports about a possible Test return during the rain break in Saturday's T20 in Durham, in which he became the first man to 100 sixes in T20Is.
"I still have my fun but I am looking after my body and getting some sleep as well."
Windies are currently ranked ninth in the ICC ODI rankings and will have to qualify for the 2019 World Cup in England if they do not reach the top eight by September 30.
Gayle's side - who failed to qualify for this year's ICC Champions Trophy - will have to thrash England 5-0 or 4-0 with either a tie or no result to leapfrog eighth-placed Sri Lanka.
"To win a World Cup, that's what I'm looking forward to. It will be tough to beat England in England but if we take the longer route [to get to the World Cup] so be it."
Reflecting on Windies' 2-1 Test series defeat by England, Gayle added: "Everyone wrote us off after the first Test and said it was going to be a whitewash.
"But the guys came back strong in the second Test. The third Test was competitive as well - the guys really put up a fight.
"The young players will need time but playing well in England will hopefully boost their confidence and encourage them to do well for West Indies. Test cricket can boost your character."
Watch England's five-match ODI series with Windies live on Sky Sports Cricket. The opener, at Old Trafford, starts at 12pm on Tuesday.
