Exciting West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer has disclosed that ‘the Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle is the person he looked up to as a role model while growing up.

Speaking at length on the Maroon Hangout on Tuesday last on Instagram, Hetmyer noted that Gayle was his idol even before he had started playing cricket, and he continues to idolise the big Jamaican.
“Even now, he is still one of the persons I look up to; because he is always there, and he is someone you can lean on, you can pick his brain and learn different stuff about the game,” Hetmyer noted. He thus described his playing time with Gayle as “a priceless opportunity”.

“(Gayle is an) excellent team mate, actually. Really funny, loves to have the dressing room in laughter. It’s nice to rub shoulders with him (Gayle), he helps you when you are going through a bad patch. He is someone you can always speak to,” Hetmyer expressed in high praise of Gayle.

This COVID-19 lockdown has given many cricketers time to reflect on their game. Asked what aspects of his game he is aiming to improve, Hetmyer readily singled out consistency, emphasising that this is certainly one of his ‘overdue’ wishes.

“…being more consistent and, to an extent, hitting the ball on the ground. A lot of times I get out caught, so I am trying (to improve on consistency). It works sometimes, but sometimes it does not. On a good day, if it comes off, I will work with it,” Hetmyer explained, as he spoke about his style of batting.
The 23-year-old Berbician disclosed that Indian star bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav are the most challenging bowlers he has faced at the international level, and Sunil Narine and Oshane Thomas are the most challenging bowlers he has faced at the Regional level.

Currently at home in Guyana, Hetmyer has furnished his home with gym equipment in order to keep himself in shape for the return of competitive cricket. This left-handed batsman has constantly represented the West Indies in all three formats of the game. He shed some light on how he manages this workload.

“There is still Test cricket, (in which) I am trying to make that transition. (In) everything else, I try to be (as) normal as possible with my stroke play and stuff. I try not to be too expressive when (switching) from ODI to T20,” Hetmyer explained.

This pugnacious batsman is of the opinion that, when playing Test cricket, he must occupy the crease for longer periods and be more selective in the deliveries he is going after. (Brandon Corlette)