The Gayle/Warner effect

We may well have witnessed some watershed moments from the cricketing arena over the last couple of days.

The outrageous performances from Chris Gayle and David Warner could quite possibly have changed the face of the game. I just wonder how many talented younger cricketers, having seen the recent displays of these two supreme dominators, have adjusted their cricketing radars to emulate them and develop a similar rewarding destructive style.

Although it is quite tragic that Gayle is not blasting bowlers to all parts wearing the maroon of the West Indies, his decision has certainly been vindicated and the path his career has now taken is spectacular. Let the record state that he is not the only villain in the Caribbean representation saga but others are now benefitting enormously.

Gayle’s power hitting from a stable base that maintains shape throughout the shot, coupled with his enormous upper body strength is stunning. Gayle has single-handedly ignited T20 cricket and changed the way in which the top order will aspire to play. Take a bow Chris.

David Warner has been sensational over the last week and should he strike similar form shortly on South African soil, many a bowler will be shaking their heads in disbelieve because he has transformed himself remarkably.

This pocket rocket initially served notice against South Africa in January 2009 when he burst on to the scene in his debut representation game for Australia with dominating effect. He then employed a more agricultural style but now his technique, although still astoundingly adventurous, is pure.

The fact that many of his boundaries result from straight blasting is testament to that. What about that switch-hit? That is nothing short of an extraordinary stroke and the way he connects with such power will leave many skippers clueless to combat this brilliance. He plays that slog sweep better than most right-handers!

In the way that ambitious youngsters in the past spent hours imitating Donald, Lara, Warne and company in the backyard, I can now visualize them repeatedly launching with Gayle’s ferocity and marvelously improvising like Warner.

Is this the shape of things to come?