Gayle dead-bats critics

It's fair to say that Chris Gayle has not had the best of years. The West Indian captain's casual remark about not particularly liking Test cricket was taken miles out of context, and a poor series in England followed by a player strike, along with some bright performances from Trinidad Tobago, drew some astonishingly vehement criticism from several quarters, including the Australian media. Gayle, though, answered his critics at Adelaide, with a broad bat and unusual patience, batting out the day to score 155 and remind everybody--Peter Roebuck and other respected writers included--that despite a disagreement with the national board, the West Indies have improved markedly during his tenure.

The media, it appears, has a short memory--Gayle captained the Windies to their first overseas win against a red-hot South Africa in 2007-08, before leading against New Zealand from the front with a 197 that combined the brutality and patience of a tiger on the prowl. The 1-0 victory over England may have featured just a couple of days of brilliance, but a win it was and although the return series in England was dismal, the attacks on Gayle--ranging from "half-baked" to "mercenary"--and his team--insert "death of West Indian cricket" and inexplicable calls for three-day Tests--and his strategies--think overly demonized use of referrals at Brisbane--told of a stunningly thick-headed, unaccountable press.

Well, Gayle has batted out the fourth day, shut out Australia's winning chances, and might have his favoured limited-overs bash before inserting the Australians tomorrow. Let's just hope he doesn't score too quickly to give his bowlers more time at Australia's lineup, otherwise Peter Roebuck and Co may launch another wild, uncontrolled, Twenty20-type assault of their own.