KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) — Sri Lankan batting star Kumar Sangakkara has pointed to the dynamic pair of Chris Gayle and Dale Steyn as key to Jamaica Tallawahs’ success in the upcoming Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
Gayle, who will captain the side, is one of the finest batsmen in the Twenty20 format, having plundered over 9,200 runs in 259 outings. South Africa Steyn, meanwhile, is one of the game’s leading fast bowlers who has dominated every format.
“I actually think there are two players who will get plenty of attention. One is ‘Bullet’ Dale Steyn. The other is Chris Gayle,” Sangakkara said. “I think Chris is a fantastic ambassador for the game, through the way he plays the game. Sometimes his character is something you have to get used to at times, but having played with Chris over the years, I just think that he is who he is.
“And the way he plays his cricket is very honest. He expresses himself fully and it’s a great joy to watch him on that field. He has a lot of fun playing the game — he’s funny, he’s humorous — so it’s wonderful.”
Steyn will be making his much anticipated debut in the CPL, having been called up to replace the injured Sri Lankan speedster Lasith Malinga. The 32-year-old has taken 187 wickets from 170 T20s, and will be coming off a successful stint for Glamorgan where he has taken nine wickets in four games for the Welsh county.
He plays his final game on Friday before heading for the Caribbean to link up with Tallawahs. “Steyn is slightly different to Chris. [He has] an amazing cricketing ability and those abilities between the two of them are very similar, but a lot more quiet,” said Sangakkara, who has been campaigning for Surrey in all formats during the ongoing County Championship.
“He’s not larger than life, like Chris, but he’s just one of the nicest men I have ever met. Forget cricket, Dale Steyn would be one of my favourite people because he’s just a wonderful human being. “I’ve had the privilege of knowing a lot of people, but Dale is a very special person.”
The new CPL season opens on June 29 and runs until August 7, and will see six franchises doing battle in 34 games across the region and the United States, for the first time. Tallawahs begin their campaign against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in Basseterre on July 2.