Freed of captaincy, Gayle will be key for West Indies

Chris Gayle

MIAMI, (Reuters) – Chris Gayle heads into the World  Cup with a reputation as one of the world’s most fearsome  strokeplayers but also as a player who needs consistent  big-tournament success to match his undoubted talent.

The powerfully built Jamaican left-hander had a poor World  Cup four years ago, managing just one half-century in the  tournament.
Since then Gayle, who relishes the cut and thrust of  Twenty20 cricket, has made no secret of his preference for the  shorter versions of the game, sounding dismissive at times about  test cricket.

It was, though, in that format, against Sri Lanka in  November, that he offered the most stunning example yet of how  he can single-handedly destroy a bowling attack.

With that innings in Galle, Gayle became the first West  Indian to score a triple century on foreign soil and the fourth  player to score two triple tons, joining Australian great Don  Bradman, India’s Virender Sehwag and fellow West Indian Brian  Lara.

It was Lara’s retirement after the World Cup in the  Caribbean in 2007 that led to Gayle being given the West Indies  captaincy — a move which some believe may have hampered his  ability to make big scores consistently.

Chris Gayle

At times Gayle sounded and looked a reluctant captain,  although he was certainly keen to keep hold of the reins  whenever alternatives were muted.

To be fair to Gayle, his spell as skipper was marred by  off-the-field battles between the players’ union and the West  Indies Cricket Board which led to last year’s unseemly boycott  of a home series with Bangladesh.

When the West Indies selectors chose Darren Sammy as the  next man charged with marshalling the hoped-for revival of  Caribbean cricket, it would not have been a huge surprise if  Gayle had decided to turn his attention purely to lucrative  opportunities in Twenty20 cricket.

TRIPLE CENTURY

Fortunately for West Indies fans, Gayle, a good friend of  Sammy, not only accepted the change but welcomed it.

When Gayle produced his triple century on the first tour  under Sammy’s charge it sent a clear signal that he was  re-focused on his batting and was flourishing without the extra  responsibilities of captaincy.

Gayle’s batting is based around his powerful big-hitting. He  is capable of huge, straight drives and is quick to dismiss  short-pitched deliveries over mid-wicket.

Critics however point to his limited foot movement and, at  times, poor shot selection as being too often his downfall.
Too frequently Gayle has been dismissed trying to drive on  slow wickets with the ball just short of a length, pulling out  late on a shot and being caught in front of the wicket.

As well as his explosive hitting, Gayle brings a useful and  economical off-spin option to the bowling attack.

While he is likely to be used only in a back-up role with  the ball in the World Cup, he is a handy alternative if some  extra overs need to be found.

With Ramnaresh Sarwan back in the squad and Shivnarine  Chanderpaul still a model of consistency, Gayle should have some  solid support around him in the upper order, although it remains  to be seen who will open with him.

One thing is sure with Gayle though — he will bring  fireworks to the tournament. The only question is how often.