MELBOURNE, Australia CMC:
FORMER WEST Indies fast bowler Michael Holding says Chris Gayle is getting better and could be the key to the West Indies batting in the future.
Gayle, the pugnacious 25-year old Jamaican opener, has scored heavily for the West Indies in recent Test and One Day International series and Holding says it is an indication of his improvement.
"He has never been one to graft away at a long innings. He has always been an explosive kind of player," Holding, who grabbed 249 wickets in 60 Tests for the West Indies, said.
He added: "Sometimes you see him play and you wonder if he is really as committed as he should be, but I think that has just been a little bit of immaturity. Although sometimes he does get carried away and you think he could be a bit more studious, I think he is getting better."
Gayle, who made his
Test debut in 2000 against Zimbabwe, has already piled up 3035 runs in 47 Tests, at an average of 38.41. However, it has been Gayle's impact on the abbreviated version of the game that has grabbed the attention of many.
The tall left hander strikes the ball with amazing power and savagery and he has already carved out 3854 runs in 108 ODIs at an average of 38.92 and a strike rate of 77.65.
"He certainly is maturing and learning a bit more about the technical aspects of batting," Holding, who also took 142 wickets in 102 ODIs, said.
STAR POTENTIAL
He added: "I think he could be a star for the West Indies, but that all will depend on how he handles himself in the near future. He has to start
settling down and getting big scores on a regular basis, not just 30s and 40s."
West Indies captain Brian Lara expressed similar sentiments, noting that while Gayle remained a potent force in the team, he still lacked the ability to bat for long periods.
"He was the No. 1 all-rounder in the world (last year). He's had three very good starts in Australia," Lara pointed out. "Unfortunately, we stress the importance of No. 1, 2, 3 or 4 carrying on throughout the innings. He hasn't done that yet."
