World Twenty20: Balance crucial for hitting big, reveals Gayle

Fiery batsman keen on battling Australia in opener. Talks about his batting style, and how to hit sixes.

COLOMBO: Hard-hitting West Indies opener Chris Gayle celebrated his 33rd birthday yesterday by telling people how to hit sixes - “It takes a bit of strength and once the ball is in your slot you go for it,” he said.

West Indies will take on Australia at the Premadasa Stadium today.

“It’s instinct to be honest. You have to let the mind and body flow together. You don’t want to get stuck in a two-minded situation."

“You just try and be natural out there and things will actually flow for you in the end.”

Left-handed Gayle, whose 27 sixes are a tournament record in the World Twenty20, is one of the most feared batsmen in all formats of the game with a penchant for big hits against both pace and spin. His rapid-fire 117 off 57 balls with 10 sixes and seven fours against South Africa in the inaugural World Twenty20 in 2007 remained the highest individual score in the competition until Brendon McCullum tore through the Bangladesh bowlers yesterday.

“The key is balance. You have to have good balance to be able to hit a lot of sixes.”

Gayle said he looked forward to playing against Australia, who thrashed Ireland by seven wickets in their first game on Wednesday.

“The first game is vital. You don’t want to play catch-up cricket in T20, so it’s a very big match for us. It will also get our confidence going. In our team we bat right down, and bowling-wise we have spinners and fast bowlers. The key for us is to get to the second round and try and take it step by step.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 22^nd, 2012.