The Hindu : Sport : A much-anticipated exciting showdown

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Sunday, Nov 05, 2006
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A much-anticipated exciting showdown

Vijay Lokapally

Chris Gayle and Glenn McGrath dominate the stage and the opposition

— Photo: S. Subramanium

COOL AS A CUCUMBER: A calm and collected Glenn McGrath takes a break during the practice session at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Friday.

MUMBAI: The stage is set! Would the finale be grand, only time will tell; meanwhile the cricketing fraternity can sit back in anticipation of a regal contest not just between two teams, but two individuals, Chris Gayle and Glenn McGrath, who have come to dominate the stage and the opposition.

We have had some legendary battles in the cricket field — bowlers wanting to contain Don Bradman; batsmen keen to conquer the West Indian pace battery; Richie Benaud vs Garry Sobers was a great contest always. In recent times, Australians have prayed for an early strike when confronted V. V. S. Laxman. Anecdotes from history have shown that the intensity on the cricket field can evoke some stirring response from individuals, making a significant contribution towards the team's progress.

There is an interesting incident from the 1950-51 series between England and Australia. Alec Bedser snared Arthur Morris cheaply and presented him a book Better Cricket. Morris responded with a double century in the next Test and gifted Bedser the same book, with a tick mark on the chapter titled `Better Bowling.'

Gayle and McGrath may not present each other books but there is plenty to suggest the two could well indulge in a combat that could elevate the status of the competition.

Accurate

Gayle has shown he can run away with the game. McGrath has proved on countless occasions he can `kill' a contest with his canny bowling. No one in contemporary cricket can bowl the `corridor' ball like McGrath. And very few escape the fury of Gayle when he sets standards for himself at the crease. McGrath may not subscribe to the perfect image of a fast bowler. He does not knock helmets off, or spring a bouncer or unleash a yorker frequently; he is in the business of luring you into making a mistake. He is stifling and accurate, with a flawless run up, action and follow through; importantly, he can bowl at any stage.

How many times have you seen the wily McGrath being clobbered? "What was that?" he asked Sachin Tendulkar with a smile when he cross-batted him at Mohali. An over later the master fell to the guiles of McGrath, who had set him up beautifully. One could vividly remember the World Cup meetings between the two in 1999 and 2003. McGrath was a clear winner at The Oval and The Wanderers. McGrath obviously had settled a score since Tendulkar had smashed him around in the 1996 World Cup match at Bombay. "He had treated me like a club bowler," was how McGrath recalled that furious clash in the middle.

Destroyer

Gayle is a destroyer, a champion, batting always on his terms, able to finish the job on his own with a tremendous display of power and timing. On Thursday at Jaipur, Jacques Kallis was smiling from ear to ear as he established an early grip on Gayle's aggression. But the South African soon came to grief as the lanky left-hander belted the ball with no respect for the line and length. It was mayhem and Gayle was the toast of all, the opposition included.

Deciding factor

Gayle, 27, is an attacking batsman; McGrath, 36, hates being attacked. Defence is an aspect rare in Gayle's repertoire; Submission is a trait alien to McGrath. The Aussie does not depend on the pitch to make his mark; neither does Gayle. But here the pitch could be the deciding factor. Suru Nayak, former Test cricketer and now involved with the technical committee at the CCI, promises "a true surface that will have bounce and carry, and little lateral movement." Can one visualise a more immaculate setting for Gayle and McGrath.

They have enjoyed their time in this edition of the Champions Trophy. Gayle has 437 runs from seven innings at an average above 80; McGrath has bowled 37 overs, with eight wickets at an average of 16.75 that include Tendulkar and Brian Lara, and his hunger has only grown. McGrath is at his best against the left-handers; Gayle reserves his best against the best.

There will be two great combinations out there, riding on two distinguished individuals. True, cricket is a team game, but individuals matter, indeed.

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