Chris Gayle's Top 5 Greatest Innings

Chris Gayle is without doubt one of the most high-profile names in International Cricket, and the left-hander is a crucial part of a West Indies squad that will be coming to the The Ageas Bowl later this month.

The destructive top-order batsman has scored over 11,000 runs in 50-over cricket to go alongside more than 10,000 T20 runs in an illustrious career.

The 37-year-old has also smashed over 700 sixes in his 645 limited over games that he has played all around the world in various formats for different teams throughout the years.

The batsman has hit a one-day international century against every test playing nation apart from Australia but here are five career highlights from the hard-hitting Jamaican.

117 vs South Africa, September 2007

Gayle struck his first-ever T20 century yet ended up on the losing side as South Africa eased to an eight-wicket win at the Wanderers in 2007.

The left-hander smashed seven boundaries and ten maximums in a stunning 57-ball innings, striking at more than a run-a-ball as the West Indies posted a daunting 205-6 from their 20 overs.

Despite this, Herschelle Gibbs (90*) carried his bat alongside Justin Kemp (46*), who’s destructive 22-ball cameo remarkably saw the hosts to victory with more than two overs to spare.

215 vs Zimbabwe, February 2015

The West Indian recorded his highest-ever one-day international score by striking a magnificent double-century in his side’s win over Zimbabwe at the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia.

Gayle found the rope on 26 occasions, and was dismissed off the last ball of the innings to bring an end to a memorable 147-ball innings that guided his side to 372-2 after 50 overs.

Even after that, he could not stay out of the game, taking 2-35 as Zimbabwe were dismissed for 289, but all the focus was on his batting as he played one of the greatest innings in World Cup history.

175* vs Pune Warriors, April 2013

Whilst playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2013 Indian Premier League, Gayle wrote himself into the record books with arguably the greatest ever T20 innings.

The Jamaican smashed 175* from just 66 balls in an innings that included 17 sixes and 13 fours as Royal Challengers Bangalore raced along to a monstrous 263-5 from their 20 overs.

Gayle (2-5) then continued a brilliant night with two wickets in an over as Pune limped to a modest 133-9 in reply to seal a mammoth 130-run win for the hosts.

151* vs Kent, May 2015

Gayle enjoyed a spell with Somerset in the 2015 NatWest T20 Blast, and had instant success with a superb unbeaten century to guide his side to a thrilling final-ball victory against Kent at Taunton.

Sam Northeast (114) scored a brilliant century as Kent posted a formidable 227-7 from their 20 overs.

Despite this, Gayle single-handedly won the game for his side, smashing an unbeaten 151 that included 15 sixes as Somerset reached their victory target off the final ball of the match.

152* vs South Africa, February 2004

The West Indies opener scored an incredible unbeaten, but yet again he ended up on the losing side against South Africa in the fifth ODI, with his side needing a win to draw the 2003/04 series.

Gayle played a more watchful innings than usual, but still hit 15 boundaries at almost a run-a-ball as the West Indies raced to 304-2 from their allotted overs.

In reply, Jacques Kallis (139) crunched a match-winning century as South Africa won the game with just two deliveries remaining, with the winnings run being hit off Gayle’s bowling at Johannesburg.

Will Gayle record another memorable innings when the West Indies face England in the potential series-decider one-day international later this month.

Tickets are still available for the game, but purchase yours quickly to avoid missing out on what promises to be a mouth-watering spectacle as the curtain closes on the English summer.