There are many reasons for liking Chris Gayle.
He is probably the coolest dude on the planet and certainly the Mr Cool of cricket. Can you think of anyone else who could make these awful sunglasses (see picture) he wears look cool?
With regards to his batting, he is up there with Sehwag as the most destructive batsman in the world to watch when he is in full flow. It doesn't matter if it is a test match, ODI or T20; if the ball is there to hit then Gayle will launch it into orbit.
But there is an even greater reason to like Gayle and that is his honesty. As well as (foolishly as it turned out) predicting a 4-1 ODI series victory for the West Indies when they toured Australia earlier this year, he has increasingly made some very honest assessments on opposing teams and their players.
On Nathan Hauritz, he famously remarked “At the moment when Hauritz is bowling to me, it's like I'm bowling to myself. He really doesn't turn the ball too much that is for sure.” He then promptly went out and smashed Hauritz all over the WACA.
After Shane Watson's childish send-off, he dismissed suggestions that he was surprised by the Australian all-rounder's antics saying "Not really, he's that sort of person and I didn't expect anything better."
And now, Gayle's honest appraisal has been turned on India's shortcomings against the short ball, which his team ruthlessly exploited in their World T20 victory against MS Dhoni's team yesterday: "They are always going to be vulnerable against the short ball, every team has done it against them and it's something they have to look at and try to prepare better."
With all the rubbish that comes out of our politicians mouths, which has been heightened by the Election and now the negotiations over a possible Conservative-LibDem or Labour-LibDem coalition, one wonders whether plain speaking Chris might be a better bet as Prime Minister? He's got our vote anyway.
Useless fellow talking gas. These bunch of folks who play for west-indies don't have the pride or the legacy. They don't know the past or even the present cricketers. Used to be the best side ever and now 3rd rate bunch of folks spoiling the culture and fortunes of cricket they had. The last world class player West Indies had produced was Chanderpaul 16 yrs back. They ain't even gave a proper sent off to Brian Lara, the greatest batsman ever played.
Posted by: Kat | Saturday, June 19, 2010 at 21:39