Gayle says 'hurt' West Indies will bounce back |
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Thursday April 3, 05:49 AM
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By Simon Evans
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (Reuters) - Captain Chris Gayle struck out at his critics and promised West Indies would bounce back from their series opening defeat by Sri Lanka when the second test begins on Thursday.
Jamaican Gayle, skippering the side in a Caribbean series for the first time, came under fire after his side fell to a final day defeat after he had dropped himself down the batting order to sixth.
Gayle's decision to promote all-rounder Dwayne Bravo to open the batting with Devon Smith almost paid off with Bravo scoring 83 and the skipper himself making 51 not out before running out of partners.
But the hard-hitting batsman said there was no question of him shirking his responsibility by dropping down the order.
"Chris Gayle never shirks from no-one and no responsibility, I take on whatever the team requires," he told reporters after practice at the Queen's Park Oval.
Gayle and his selectors have yet to decide on the starting 11 for Thursday's test but local favourite Amit Jaggernauth could be in line for a test debut.
Off-spinner Jaggernauth took seven second inning wickets for match figures of 10 for 79 in Trinidad and Tobago's win over Barbados in regional competition this week and is familiar with conditions in Port of Spain.
But with the wicket looking firm and a little green, Gayle is unlikely to want two specialist spinners and Sulieman Benn's better batting pedigree may count in his favour despite an unspectacular performance in the first test.
TURN IT AROUND
Gayle said whatever the line-up, the team were determined to ensure Sri Lanka did not become the first team to win a series in the Caribbean with a 100 percent record.
"We are hurt, to lose in that manner when we should have come up with a draw that hurt but now we have to pick ourselves up as individuals and as a team and focus on what we can do. Hopefully we can turn it around," he said.
Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene said he was looking forward to competing on what he believes is a true five-day wicket.
"There is a little bit of grass in it, it is firm and looks a good test wicket. It looks similar to when we played our first three group games in the World Cup here last year -- there is something in it initially for the quicks but then once you get through that it is a good batting wicket.
"That's test cricket -- put in the hard work and get the rewards," he said.
Sri Lanka have an injury worry over wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene and if he does not make it then Kumar Sangakkara will take his place behind the stumps.
Teams from:
West Indies - Chris Gayle (captain), Dwayne Bravo, Sulieman Benn, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Fidel Edwards, Amit Jaggernauth, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Marlon Samuels, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Smith, Jerome Taylor.
Sri Lanka - Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Michael Vandort, Malinda Warnapura, Thilan Samaraweera, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Chamara Silva, Prasanna Jayawardene, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Ishara Amarasinghe, Rangana Herath, Thilan Thushara Mirando, Chanaka Welegedara, Nuwan Kulasekara.
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