The Jamaican Thunderstorm

This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill

Fifteen percent concentrated power of will

Five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain

And a hundred percent reason to remember the name!

- Remember the Name, Fort Minor



When you consider a sport as old as cricket, with its earliest history recorded in the 16th century, each day of the year holds some special significance; a combined celebration of symbolic moments that enriched the game over generations. June 8, well known for the birthdays of the deadly Derek Underwood and the incredible Ray Illingworth, for the Test debuts of the terrific spin twins Sonny Ramadhin and Alf Valentine, is set to add another feather to its cap as it will mark the occasion of the 100th Test of the most flamboyant batsman of modern era.

Knowing Chris Gayle is like being mesmerized by a thunderstorm. He is not only destructive and devastating with the bat but also enchantingly colourful off the field. When he walks out on the field on June 8, 2014 in Jamaica for the first Test against New Zealand, it will be his 100th appearance; a milestone that has come after a long but worthy wait. Gayle made his Test debut in 2000 against Zimbabwe at Port of Spain. For 14 years now, he has fascinated us with his clean strokes and an uncanny ability to entertain the masses. With his tall, muscular physique, he is like a monster who can rip a bowling attack apart on any given day in any conditions. Although people seldom talk about his prowess in the longer format, his 6933 runs in 99 matches at an impressive average of 42.01 are a testimony to his all-round brilliance. He is only the fourth batsman to hit two Test triples, a feat that can be only possible for a player exuding a generous amount of patience and discipline. He might be accused of feasting on flat tracks and his ostentatious ways in T20s are often mistaken for defiance but the genius in him cannot be camouflaged.

As amusing as it sounds, Gayle's career has also been has been riddled with controversies. He has had his fair share of disputes with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), openly criticizing them on numerous occasions. These obstacles coupled with frequent injuries and a penchant for putting T20 Leagues above his country, have only pushed the timeline on his international landmarks further. He could have played this all-important Test in New Zealand in last December but a torn hamstring during the ODI series against India last year, ruled him out for three weeks. He might not see eye-to-eye with the WICB but they have organized a special function to bestow upon him a prestigious 'Life-time achievement' award just before the Test begins. Fitness issues and a lack of form in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) may have dampened his spirit but certainly not his popularity.

Few players have the skill to draw crowds in large numbers and even fewer can enthral the masses with their lethal stroke-play with such a deft consistency. His cool and calm demeanour punctuated with that million dollar smile and the random breaking into a Gangnam style jig on the field, sets him apart from his peers. Chris Gayle might be far from perfect with his rebellious attitude and quirky smugness but underneath the faade, lies a genuine entertainer.