Chris Gale Innings Coming To A Rocky End

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One Caribbean Nation.


Chris Gale
Brian Lara
Ramnaresh Saran
Usain Bolt
The Mahogany Coconut Group, considers cricket, to be the most unifying cultural force in the Caribbean region. Our current cricketers have continuously depressed us by their apparent intention, to systematically destroy a legacy, that has been built through sporting, and occasionally physical, blood sweat and tears. We went on a ride of almost mystical dominance , that disappeared like the viciousness of Viv Richards hitting a bowler  for six or the swiftness of Garry Sobers snatching up a catch at pick pocket.
As the period of dominance evaporated, we have been luckless in discovering any considerable star material. Most of our players have often turned up; showed some talent and then faltered. However in this barren time at least two have demonstrated immense talent and can correctly claim some level of greatness. Brian Lara and Chris Gale are obvious stars of the last two decades. Brian Lara is the epitome of great batsmanship and has been constantly ranked alongside Sir Garry Sobers as the world’s greatest batsman. Chris Gale has already declared himself “up there with the great ones”. We believe that the purists will not be as kind to Gale as he has been to himself. However, there is always the possibility that we can find ourselves, in the right place at the right time. The T20 version of the game heralds Gale, as the greatest batsman of that particular version. Honesty demands that we therefore recognize his greatness.
His illustrious career is now coming to an inevitable end and he has tried to determine the calendar for his exit. His latest debacle involves his transfer from his home team in the Caribbean Players League Competition. He is publicly expressing the view, that another former West Indies player Ramnaresh Sarwan, has been instrumental in what Gale considers to be some form of sporting massacre. The entire episode clearly shows that superstars do not enjoy being slighted as their careers reach the end. We witnessed with some amusement Usain Bolt, trying to be a successful soccer player. Its hard to walk away regardless of the millionaire status that Gale and Bolt have achieved. Gale has enjoyed his controversies and the high publicity. He is indeed a superstar.
We hope this will be his last battle and he would find it possible to make that last walk off the field with the dignity of a Viv Richards or the humility of Garfield Sobers. Perhaps Gale, should show his greatness because it is not always the race, we run but how we finish. There is nothing more relaxing , at a game of cricket, than to witness a great batsman quietly play the last bowl back to the bowler. ; the stumps are pulled ; the clouds lengthen and the day is over. Chris Gale has hit more sixes than others of lesser talent have struck singles. Perhaps he should try playing the bowl quietly back to the bowler and head to the pavilion.

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