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19 April 2024

Dancing Gayle like Viv Richards - Windies coach

West Indies’ Chris Gayle raises his bat after scoring fifty runs against England during their ICC World Twenty20 2016 cricket match at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, March 16, 2016. (AP)

Published
By Agencies

When the West Indies won their sole World Twenty20 title in 2012 they famously celebrated by performing "Gangnam Style". If they triumph in India they'll be dancing to a different tune.

Big-hitting batsman Chris Gayle performed a little jig at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday after smashing his way to a 47-ball century that included 11 sixes in the Windies' win over England.

"The new jig is called 'Champion'," West Indies coach Phil Simmons explained to reporters afterwards. "That's the dance from Dwayne Bravo's new single."

All-rounder Bravo launched the song, called "Champion", in Mumbai earlier this week. The lyrics reference various sporting heroes and political icons and includes the line "Everybody knows Gayle is a champion".

It's not Bravo's first venture into music. Last year he released a music video to coincide with the Indian Premier League titled "Chalo! Chalo!", meaning "Let's Go" in Hindi.

Gayle led his West Indies team-mates in a celebratory "Gangnam Style" dance when they defeated Sri Lanka in a low-scoring final four years ago and few would bet against more dancing following the final on April 3.

The left-hander, nicknamed "Gayle Force" and "Gayle Storm", hit one monstrous six after another against England as he lit up the sixth edition of the World T20 on Wednesday during his side's six-wicket triumph.

Simmons said the 36-year-old was up there with West Indies batting great Viv Richards as one of the most destructive batsman in the history of cricket.

"I think the only person in my time I would put him with is Sir Vivian because Viv used to go out and destroy attacks like that too," he said.

Mockery

The tall left-handed West Indies opener made a mockery of a steep 183-run target set by England at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday, smashing an unbeaten 100 to set alight the World Twenty20.

Simmons, who has seen his fair share of maverick West Indies batsmen during his long career, reserved the highest praise for Gayle after he clubbed 11 sixes to overtake Brendon McCullum's career record for the most in internationals in the format.

"To destroy an attack like that, the only person in my time that I would put him with is Sir Vivian because Sir Vivian used to go out there and destroy attacks like that," Simmons told reporters after the match.

"I think he is up there with Sir Viv in the way he tears apart attacks."

The gum-chewing Richard ripped apart bowling attacks with a swagger that is part of cricketing folklore and the now 64-year-old Antiguan is considered a benchmark for attacking batting.

A number of batsmen over the years have gone on to achieve more than Richards did but very few have been able to strike as much fear in the minds of bowlers.

"Bat 15 overs for me. That's all I need from you," Simmons said when asked what he tells Gayle before the opener walks out to bat.

"I know that once you bat fifteen overs, we would be somewhere near to the target we want to be setting or chasing."

Gayle's unbeaten 100 on Wednesday, his second century at a World Twenty20, helped paper over the cracks of West Indies' tumultuous build-up.

The 2012 champions were embroiled in a contract dispute with their board, who threatened to send a second string team to the tournament.

The victory over 2010 champions England, almost without breaking sweat, underlined their status as one of the most dangerous teams in the tournament.

South Africa, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan - the other teams in Group One - will already be hoping Gayle has an off day against them.

"You think it is a big statement, but there is more to come," Simmons promised.