Time for Gayle to step up

As he set out for the tour of England last week, holding for the first time the poisoned chalice that the West Indies captaincy has become, Ramnaresh Sarwan itemised his priorities. "Consistency, cohesion and camaraderie" was the alliteration used by Ezra Stuart in his report to summarise Sarwan's stated priorities for the challenging campaign ahead.

It might have stated the obvious since no international team has been as unpredictable as West Indies over the past decade or so and certainly none more divided. But the points had to be accentuated.

The new captain could have added fitness and discipline as other areas requiring attention but there is a new, belatedly appointed trainer to start focusing on the former and new manager Mike Findlay has made early reference to the latter.

Twice in his chat with the media, Sarwan used the phrases "very important" and "most importantly" to stress the need to "play well as a team and play as a collective unit". It has been clear for some time, but more than ever during the recent World Cup let-down, that the West Indies were not pulling together, that they were not truly a team.

Given Lara's absence, the proximity of the World Cup debacle and the ludicrous itinerary that offers only this weekend's match against Somerset as preparation for four Tests in a month, an immediate reversal of the 4-0 whitewash endured in England three years ago is an unrealistic expectation.

What can be achieved are more commitment, cohesion and camaraderie, and a more serious approach to fitness and discipline. Even then, the benefits of such change will take time to materialise. Their implementation depends largely on the encouragement and guidance provided by Sarwan and his senior lieutenants - Daren Ganga, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle and Corey Collymore.

With 101 Tests and 13 years in international cricket, Chanderpaul is by far the senior statesman now that Lara has gone. But his role is likely to remain what, except for a brief, uncomfortable stint at the helm, it always has been: batting for as long as possible. The leadership is now in the hands of a younger brigade.

Ganga, Sarwan's deputy, has shown his qualities in leading Trinidad and Tobago to two double-titles in the past three seasons. Gayle, like Sarwan, in his eighth year of international cricket, is nearing the veteran stage, while Collymore is an equally seasoned campaigner with as much to contribute in the nets and team meetings as in the middle.

Potentially, Gayle can be the most influential of the group, not only as opening batsman and spinner, but as exemplar. When the West Indies were last in Australia in 2005, Steve Waugh was of a similar view.

"The current Windies unit lacks urgency and vibrancy and is therefore reactive, not proactive," the former Australian captain wrote in his newspaper column. "The good news is that it takes just one player to initiate change by hustling between overs and to liven up proceedings with a bit of chat out on the field, especially if it is a senior player."

Waugh singled out "the highly talented Chris Gayle who has the presence and ability to influence those around him", adding the caveat that Gayle would have to alter his attitude to do so. It is amazing how little has changed in the interim, both in the team and in Gayle himself. But it is not too late.

With his omnipresent sunglasses, glittering gold chain, changing hair-styles and super-cool demeanour, Gayle is widely perceived as the quintessence of the present-day West Indies cricketer - all style, little substance. It is not an entirely unearned impression, but Gayle is a significant all-round cricketer with a solid record. What is more, he is a spark who can lift spirits, off and on the field, a crucial consideration on a tour such as this.

The counterbalance is occasionally evident, never more so than in his lacklustre performance in the World Cup, typified by a manifestly indifferent attitude. It would have been hardly surprising had he been dropped because of it, but he was not the only one affected by the malaise that permeated the entire team and was plain to see from well beyond the boundary. The selectors would have been swayed more by Gayle's role in less discordant times, more recently in the Champions Trophy in India six months ago when he was Player Of The Tournament.

For all the frozen footwork, a basic defect for an opener, he remains the most destructive batsman in the team. If his average of 38.71 is a little short of the accepted statistical standard for leading Test batsmen, it is hardly atrocious. And he did average 50 in the 4-0 Test whitewash in England three years ago.

Batting is his forte, of course, but his off-spin is not to be undervalued, as he himself believes it has been. "In the bowling department, I think I have been underused on most occasions," he wrote in his diary on an internet site last December. "I am not a scapegoat bowler in this team to be used only when things are difficult. Things can be handled a bit better in that scenario."

Perhaps Sarwan will take note, especially in this series when Gayle offers the only contrast in an attack, as ever, based on pace and seam. It is noteworthy that one of Gayle's two five-wicket returns in a Test innings, 5 for 34 against England at Edgbaston three years ago, was on the day when Sarwan was in charge in the absence of an ill Lara. Sarwan was also leading in Lara's absence when Gayle's belligerence, highlighted by his shoulder-to-shoulder clash with Michael Clarke, visibly energised West Indies in their first round Champions Trophy win over Australia last October.

The problem is that such dynamism has been too spasmodic, inevitably followed by long lapses into inertia. The team requires more of it more regularly.