Elite sportsmen in all fields of competition, despite their protestations otherwise, possess secret inner fears which they are loathe to reveal. Be it fear of a particular opponent, competing at a specific venue or at a peculiar time of day, they all have their own individual fears. The one common fear they all have to face is probably more terrifying than being seated in a Formula One car travelling at the alarming rate of over 200 mph or facing the world’s fastest bowler on the lightning quick pitch at Perth in Western Australia: retirement.
Very few world class athletes are prepared to accept the beckoning call of Father Time, more often than not, they consider themselves the exception to the rule, and fully expecting to defy the odds, they persist, quite often suffering severe embarrassment at the end of their careers. Once again in the last week we have witnessed the replay of this sad spectacle, both on and off the field of play.
On Monday, the first day of Wimbledon, the stage of the world’s most famous tennis tournament, 15 year old Cori Gauff, the youngest ever qualifier since it became a professional tournament, defeated 39 year old Venus Williams in straight sets. Gauff had not even been born when her fellow American had won the first four of her seven Grand Slam titles. Whilst Gauff basked in her glory and acknowledged that Venus and her sister Serena have been the inspiration for her taking up the game, Venus was commencing the inevitable task of accepting the writing on the wall.
Last Wednesday, at the pre-match press conference for the West Indies versus India encounter at the 2019 ICC World Cup, Chris Gayle, the West Indies opening batsman announced to the complete surprise of everyone present, including his captain Jason Holder, and his teammates that he intends to continue playing after this tournament.
“It’s not the end. I still have a few games to go. Maybe another series to go, who knows? We’ll see what happens,” the man who calls himself the Universal Boss, was quoted as saying. While Gayle still possesses many admirers and supporters, the seasoned fan must have cringed at the declaration.
Here it comes again, another proclamation from Mr Gayle who sees himself as “definitely up there with the greats [of the game], without a doubt.” Gayle, the last remaining tenure from the longest losing period in the history of West Indies cricket, is known for making ridiculous pronouncements. In January 2017, in an interview with Fox Sports he stated that he intended to become the first man to play T20 cricket until he is fifty and that he was going to return to Test cricket and make four hundred in an innings.
In February, he had announced that the World Cup would be his final appearance in the maroon colours. Prior to that statement, it seemed as though every time he spoke to the media he was including himself in the World Cup squad long before the team was announced. Now he is “definitely” playing in the ODI series in August against India and “maybe” another Test. The West Indies/India series includes three ODIs and two Tests, the second of which is scheduled for Gayle’s home turf, Sabina Park, Jamaica. For the record, Gayle’s last appearance in a Test match was in 2014 versus Bangladesh.
Those fans who endured watching the woeful West Indies during the 2019 ICC World Cup must have been biting the lips and clutching desperately to the arms of their chairs every time Gayle tried to scamper a single. Images of Usain Bolt laying on the track at last year’s IAAF Championships must been flashing across their minds. The senior player on this tour, Gayle has failed to deliver the guidance and the inspiration that he was expected to provide to the younger players, as the West Indian performance in the field, apart from a few flashes of brilliance, has been embarrassing to say the least.
Gayle has given the West Indies long service –two decades- and though for several reasons, disputes with the board, health problems and focusing more on the T20 format in recent years, he was not available for selection when he was most needed by the team, we are very grateful for his contribution to West Indian cricket.
The selectors must stand firm this time. Gayle is now obviously past his best and his rapidly declining fitness level will no longer allow him to continue to perform on the world stage. Father Time is calling. Exit right, Chris Gayle.
