Given the amount of cricket going on in the UAE at present, booking a net for practice at the last minute is pretty much out of the question. Unless you are a World Boss, of course.

Contact

Chris Gayle got in touch with the ICC via social media on Tuesday to see about having a hit at the Academy at Dubai Sports City the following morning. They were never likely to turn him down, were they?

Injury

The West Indies opener had an operation on a long standing back injury earlier this year, and predicted he would be out of action until December. He is slightly ahead of scheduled, therefore. The impromptu net at the ICC Academy was his first return to the crease since then.

No leaders

The UAE, Hong Kong, Nepal, Oman and Danube - a corporate team who are the only fully-professional side in this country - were all in on site when Gayle wanted to net. The Academy did everything to accommodate him, though. They delivered on providing net bowlers, white cricket balls, and a pitch that was anything but a greentop. The only thing lacking from his original list of requests were IPL-style cheerleaders.

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Promotion

Gayle is in Dubai to help promote the Kerala Cricket League, a Dubai-based Twenty20 competition. He is hoping to get back fit in time to play in the Bangladesh Premier League, then for the Melbourne Renegades in Australia’s Big Bash League. “It is good to get a hit out there and I’m looking forward to being back in the game as soon as possible,” he said.

Beginning

His recuperation from injury has meant he is not part of the West Indies squad for their Test series against Australia next month. He says he is some way off a return to competitive action, but is happy he has made a start. “I was stiff and rusty, but the more you practice you get back into it gradually and eventually things come of it,” he said.

pradley@thenational.ae