Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
THE West Indies team’s ‘Mr Cool’ turned ‘Mr Hot’ to change the fortunes of a side which had plummeted to depths of despair.
Chris Gayle was not a popular choice to lead the West Indies in the one-dayers after a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of England in the Test series. The selectors preferred the sedate Darren Ganga to carry on as captain.
Gayle was grudgingly handed over the reins eventually and not much was expected out of him. The Jamaican left-hander did not get off to a great start in his new role and got into a spat with the West Indian board over the late arrival of some of his team members for the one-day series.
Gayle was given a severe reprimand by the board and was allowed to carry on. There still may be some repercussions for Gayle once he returns home.
By his very first action, what Gayle established firmly with his team was that he was a players’ man. And that he cared for the maroon cap he wore.
This went down well with the West Indian team and they responded to his call to rally around and show their mettle.
The West Indians had looked really ragged during the Test series. They never seemed to play for long periods and this proved detrimental to their fortunes.
However, of late, the West Indies have fared better in the one-day variety. Yet after the disappointments of the World Cup, they needed to prove a lot to themselves and the world.
The first one-dayer was lost due to poor batting. But what was noticeable was that the West Indies were energetic on the field and their bowling did not crumble under pressure.
What was even more encouraging was that the players bristled with aggression and were not afraid get into chats with the England team.
The Gayle magic began to manifest in the second one-dayer. Boosted by the return of the man-of-the-series, Shivnaraine Chanderpaul, West Indies won by a margin of 61 runs.
With the series all-square, the West Indies pulled out champagne stuff in the last one-dayer and won by a big margin of 93 runs. With Chanderpaul gone early, Gayle took over the responsibility of shaping the innings and made a responsible 82.
This helped Runako Morton and Dwayne Bravo to plunder the English bowling in the last 10 overs.
Then Darren Powell displayed his new found menace with a scorching spell which had England reeling at 33 for three. The wicket of Kevin Pieterson epitomised his confidence.
Powell’s first ball was a searing bouncer which had Pieterson ducking. He followed that up with a beauty which swung and took the edge of Pieterson’s bat straight into the hands of the slips.
Both Powell and Fidel Edwards have responded well to Gayle’s captaincy and this augers well for the West Indies. The enthusiastic Bravo even bowled against medical advice in the last one-dayer.
The return of Ravi Rampaul added much needed firepower to the West Indies. Rampaul bowls a good line and length and this proved beneficial.
As in the Test series, Chanderpaul was the fulcrum around which the West Indies batting rotated. The left-hander was in the form of his life and one hopes that he continues this rich vein of form for the good of West Indies cricket.
Marlon Samuels and Morton also showed great commitment both with the bat and on the field. Samuels, for once, did not look as if in slumber while fielding.
Gayle, unfortunately, will be handing back the captaincy to Ramnaresh Sarwan once he returns after injury. Hopefully Sarwan should be able to pick up from where Gayle left and get the West Indies back on the road to success again.
The West Indies selectors would be wise to hand the vice-captaincy to Gayle at least.
Ganga is not really an established player in the West Indies team yet though his performances have improved of late.
May be a Sarwan-Gayle combination would infuse the dynamism which was so lacking in the West Indian team for over a decade.
With the West Indian board still at loggerheads with the players over contracts, a quick solution to end the problem should get top priority.
A better understanding between the board and the players is the need of the hour.
It is unfortunate that the West Indies have let down millions of their fans by following a good performance with a string of poor ones. Hope the Gayle magic potion lasts a little longer this time for the good of West Indies cricket.
By Babu Kalyanpur
babu.kallianpur@tradearabia.net
