KINGSTON, Jamaica – Chris Gayle's astonishing 175 not out in the IPL is still being widely talked about. The innings itself is astonishing enough: 175 from 66 balls with 17 sixes is unheard of, and the admission by Chris that he “slowed down” in the middle is mind-boggling.
We celebrate the innings and, indeed, the man now, but the real significance of what Chris Gayle and his flashing blade might come to mean for cricket down the road might be lost on most of us.
Twenty20 cricket is not going anywhere, and it's not unreasonable to feel that in another 20 years, it will be more played than any other format. Because 20/20 cricket offers players the kind of financial incentives that can match what is paid by some sports in North America, youngsters will naturally gravitate towards this shortened format.
