Chris Gayle joins St Lucia Zouks after Jamaica Tallawahs opt against retaining him

Gayle had only re-joined his home franchise last year as a marquee player, having spent the two previous seasons with St Kitts and Nevis Patriots

St Lucia Zouks have signed Chris Gayle for this year’s Caribbean Premier League after Jamaica Tallawahs decided not to retain the batsman.

Gayle had only re-joined his home franchise last year as a marquee player, having spent the two previous seasons with St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

He scored just 243 runs in 10 games in 2019, however, with 116 of those coming in a losing cause against his former side as the Patriots chased down 242 against the Tallawahs.

Gayle’s new team was purchased by KPH Dream Cricket Private Limited in February, the parent company of Kings XI Punjab, for whom the 40-year-old left-hander still plays in the Indian Premier League.

He will be under the captaincy of Daren Sammy, with Andy Flower as the side’s new head coach.

“This is great news for St Lucia Zouks and for me as a captain to have the 'Universe Boss' on my side,” Sammy said. “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.

“I welcome him to the Zouks franchise. Chris will be in St Lucia and the fans will be happy 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."

Flower added: “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.”

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