sussexpob wrote:shankycricket wrote:[
As for averaging 46 last year, again a case of presenting stats to depict an untrue picture. Now just to give some context, he played a grand total of THREE Tests last year (6 innings). The average is padded up by a 70 odd not out chasing a score of 120 in quick time vs NZ (T20 type scenario - if you watched that innings, it was a proper T20 innings) and a 65 in the first innings of the first Test where he looked like getting out almost each and every delivery to Southee but somehow managed not to get a nick before feasting on some short deliveries from Ish Sodhi to help himself to a fifty. He failed in the other 4 innings and looked clueless against swing. Anyone who actually WATCHED that series will argue that as a case against Gayle playing tests as opposed to a case for him. Before that, he missed the series in NZ through injury and failed in India and a bit before that, in Bangladesh. I don't understand how anyone who has watched him bat in Tests and ODIs post the 2012 World t20 triumph can argue that he is still fit to play anything more than 20 overs. But sure, you can pretend everything is rosy with those selective stats without any context.
His ODI form in 2015 is to average 38 at 116SR.....
His last test year he averaged 46, and despite your accusation of selective stats, was only a few runs away in one test from making sure he scored a 50 in each one.....
Currently averaging 40 in IPL 2015....
If this means he is finished, then I despair for everyone else playing cricket.... you set the bench mark very high.
I think its the manner in which Gayle plays his innings, gives people a false impression of him.