Unsurprisingly, Chris Gayle reveled just a little too much.
When the veteran Jamaican sent back a well-set Ross Taylor - caught by Jason Holder at mid-off - during West Indies' World Cup match against New Zealand at Manchester, Gayle celebrated his wicket with fervor that nearly injured his arm.
Photo: Windies Cricket/TwitterThe 39-year-old punched the air in delight as Taylor succumbed in the 35th over and promptly held his shoulder seemingly winced in pain. Ever the entertainer, it was typical from the self-styled Universe Boss, following up from his show against England earlier.
Chris Gayle has put out his shoulder celebrating the wicket of Ross Taylor. You couldn't make it up. He can't even high-five his teammates. #WIvNZ #CWC19
— Nick Howson (@NickHowson) June 22, 2019
However, in the 37th over, the Kings XI Punjab star walked off the field to have his shoulder checked and returned to the field only in the 41st.
Taylor was Gayle's 22nd Kiwi wicket, which meant it was the highest tally for a West Indies bowler against the Black Caps in One Day Internationals, surpassing the legendary Courtney Walsh's total. While Walsh did in 16 matches, Gayle took 30.
Chris @henrygayle has now surpassed Courtney @CuddyWalsh as the leading wicket taker for the West Indies against New Zealand in ODIs. This came after his wicket of Ross Taylor in the 35th over #WIvNZ#MenInMaroon #UniverseBoss #ItsOurGame pic.twitter.com/F3vv0PteE2
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) June 22, 2019
His shoulder was fine too, as he proved with his efforts with the bat when he came out to open the innings.
Photo: Cricket World Cup/TwitterChasing New Zealand's 291/8, Chris Gayle smashed a fighting 87 in 84 balls, with 8 fours and 6 sixes, keeping his team in the chase despite two early wickets. The Caribbeans, however, ended up on the losing side despite Gayle's efforts and Carlos Brathwaite's exceptional ton that took the match to the last ball.
