Chris Gayle

Since the retirement of Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes, the West Indies have been searching for a top-class opening pair.

Date of Birth: 21 September 1979, Kingston, Jamaica  Test Debut: Against Zimbabwe at Port-of-Spain in 1999/00  ODI Debut: Against India at Toronto in 1999  Bats: Left Hand Bat  Bowls: Right Arm Off Break

Since the retirement of Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes, the West Indies have been searching for a top-class opening pair.

In Gayle, they might have found a partial answer to their problem, and what is more, he can do a job as a fifth bowler although he needs to get a tighter grip on his economy.

At just 23, the Jamaican is proving a formidable opener and part of a new generation of batsmen that the West Indies hope will restore the team to their former glories.

He is a clinical and brutal striker of the ball who trades heavily in boundaries, particularly strong driving through both point and cover.

After a slow start to his career Gayle blossomed in 2002, ending the year with three centuries against India in November.

They helped him become the fourth West Indian, and the first since 1993, to score 1,000 runs in a calendar year, joining exalted company in Haynes, Viv Richards and Brian Lara.

CAREER STATISTICS >>