MSL 2019 | If I don’t perform for a couple of games, suddenly I’m the burden, laments Chris Gayle
Leaving the Jozi Stars halfway through the season after what has been a disastrous campaign, Chris Gayle has slammed critics who blame him for a few failures with the bat. The defending champions are yet to win a single game in six attempts this season, with Gayle managing only 101 runs in total.
When the going gets tough, it seems inevitable that some finger-pointing will follow soon after. But for the 40-year old West Indies opener, blaming him for a few poor individual performances on his side has become the norm.
"As soon as I don't perform for two or three games, then Chris Gayle is the burden for the team. I am not talking for this team alone. This is something I have analysed over the years playing franchise cricket. And then you will hear bickering. I am not going to get respect. People don't remember what you have done for them. I don't get respect," Gayle said at the post-match press conference after the Stars’ clash against Tshwane Spartans.
Both Gayle and the Stars have had a tough time in this year's MSL. Prior to the collapse against the Spartans, Gayle had only contributed 47 runs in the first five losses. However, he hit an explosive 54 off 28 balls in his final appearance — which was also his 400th T20 match — as the Stars looked all set to chase down 156 successfully. But a calamitous collapse losing seven wickets for 13 runs in 29 balls saw them bowled out for 135 from being 122 for three in the 14th over.
"It was bad, bad to watch. Everyone will be hurt from such a thing. I am hurt from a personal point of view. I really wanted to win. I thought this was the one but it wasn't meant to be again," Gayle said.
"This is not a champion team. This is not how defending champions should play to defend the title. Most of the times it's been a lot of uncertainty from guys and I don't know if it's an off the field problem, I don't know what's happening. I think individuals, the franchise itself, needs to look at themselves and dig deep with what is happening. Something is wrong. I don't know what it is but we need to find out what's wrong."
The defending champions have had to deal with several changes this season, with Donovan Miller — the assistant last year — taking over as head coach and Temba Bavuma handed over the captaincy after last season's skipper Dane Vilas was picked up by the Durban Heat. But what drew Gayle back into the mix was the hope of the feel-good vibe from last year.
"I had so much fun last year. I didn't plan to come to play this year but because of the spirit last year, the dressing room environment was so fantastic, I just wanted to come and play. It wasn't about money at all, there was no negotiation, I said 'just sign it up but I won't play the full tournament'. I will play six games because I want to share one more moment with this dressing room and that's what I did. Normally I would take a break right now but I really, really wanted to come here," Gayle added.
Although he plans to take the rest of the year off, Gayle indicated that his playing days are done yet, with a return to the MSL next year still a possibility.