Gayle retiring from one-day internationals after World Cup

West Indies batsman Chris Gayle will retire from one-day international cricket after the World Cup later this year.

The 39-year-old Jamaican has played in 284 ODIs and needs just 273 runs to become the 14th man, and the second West Indian after Brian Lara, to reach 10,000 in ODIs. Lara scored 10,405 runs in the 50-over format.

Gayle, a big-hitting left-hander, said: "In 50-over cricket, definitely the World Cup (is the end). I'm looking to draw the line there ... let the youngsters have some fun and I can sit back in the party stand and watch them.

"It is a big year for me, to be honest. I hope 2019 can finish for me on a great note."

He averages 37.12 in ODIs, with 23 centuries and a highest score of 215, ahead of the five-match series against England that begins on Wednesday.

After those matches and three Twenty20s, the West Indies take part in an ODI tri-series with Ireland and Bangladesh in May before the World Cup starts later that month. He is expected to continue playing in the Twenty20 format.

___

More AP cricket: www.apnews.com/Cricket and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports