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Windies pacer Gabriel aiming for consistency
Benoni (South Africa): Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel did not make much of an impression in the West Indies’ three-day game against a South Africa Invitational XI which ended in a draw but said he is aiming to be more consistent on the tour.
He sent down just five overs for 14 runs during the local side’s innings which was destroyed by left-arm seamer Sheldon Cottrell who picked up a five-wicket haul Friday, as per reports.
With the opening Test bowling off next week, Gabriel said he was just looking to continue to improve on the tour.
“I’m just gaining experience as I go along. One thing I am trying to be is more consistent in my bowling in terms of line and length,” he said.
“Everything is good, I think I am headed in the right direction. I know once I do the basics and keep working hard wickets will come my way and success will come my way.”
The 26-year-old has played nine Tests since making his debut on the 2012 tour of England, and has claimed 22 wickets.
However, he has not managed to tie down a spot in the regional side, and faces more competition on the current tour with the likes of Cottrell, Kemar Roach, Jerome Taylor and Jason Holder in the squad.
The Trinidadian, who bowls with a fair turn of pace, said the most important thing was getting the fast bowling unit to perform together.
“We have a good crop of fast bowlers here. Jerome Taylor and Kemar Roach have had good success at the international level so it’s just about learning from them,” he said.
“And we’re helping each other as a bowling group so hopefully we can go out and put our best foot forward.”
He is being overseen on tour by legendary former Windies pacer Sir Curtly Ambrose who is part of the management team, and said Sir Curtly’s advice had been valuable so far.
“It’s good to have him around. It’s a wealth of experience he brings to the team so I just sit down with him and pick his mind sometimes, find out how what he did that was successful so I can take that into my game.”
The West Indies face South Africa in the first Test in Centurion starting next Wednesday.
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Sunil Gavaskar gives his opinion of GT allrounder Rahul Tewatia
The left-handed batsman from Haryana is garnering praise from all quarters for the way he’s finishing games regularly in the most exciting IPL season.
Gavaskar reckons Tewatia’s whirlwind knock in Sharjah (in IPL 2020) where he smashed West Indies pacer Sheldon Cottrell for five sixes in an over, gave him the confidence that he belongs to the big stage.
Speaking on Cricket Live on Star Sports, Gavaskar said, “That assault on Sheldon Cottrell in Sharjah gave him the belief to do the impossible and the confidence that he belongs here. We saw the impossible (he did with the bat) the other day as well. There’s no twitching or touching the pads (which shows a batter’s nervousness) when he bats in the death overs. He just waits for the ball to be delivered and plays his shots. He’s got all the shots in the book, but most importantly his temperament to stay cool in a crisis is brilliant.”
Gavaskar has also nicknamed the 28-year-old cricketer the ‘ice-man’ and lauded Tewatia’s ability to remain unruffled during the tense moments.