SELLOUT crowds are expected at the WACA Ground this summer after West Indies captain Chris Gayle signed on to play for the Western Warriors in the 2009-10 domestic Twenty20 cricket competition.
One of the most destructive batsmen in world cricket, Gayle is the only man to have scored a century in a Twenty20 International and will play at least three matches at the home of WA cricket.
Warriors coach Tom Moody said Gayle would be a tremendous acquisition for the team, both on and off the field.
“Given the profile and the importance of the competition we felt there was a need to recruit a leading player in world cricket, and with Chris we have secured one of the game’s best Twenty20 players,” he said.
“Not only is he one of the most exciting batsmen in the game, he adds considerable experience as a Twenty20 player with international and Indian Premier League experience, as well as significant leadership to the group as an international captain.”
The top two teams in the competition earn the right to compete at the Champions League Twenty20 tournament. Should the Warriors qualify for the Champions League, Gayle could be available.
The left-hander will skipper the West Indies on their three-Test tour of Australia in November.