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Gayle Says
Marshall Needs Comfort And Guidance
Posted June 02, 2008.
ST JOHN'S, ANTIGUA – West Indies captain Chris Gayle said
that rookie opening batsman Xavier Marshall who he is
mentoring needs comfort and guidance in order to develop
into a successful international cricketer.
"He is a youngster who needs a bit of guidance, I am a role
model for him so what I do is to try and guide him as much
as possible. When we play cricket together I try and pass on
as much information to him as possible and show him along
the road," the injured Gayle exclusively told
DigicelCricket.com.
Ironically Marshall found himself in the West Indies final
eleven for the Second Digicel Test against Australia at the
Sir Vivian Richards Stadium because Gayle is injured and
unable to play. Marshall scored 53 with eight stunning fours
but fell late in the day to the left arm spin of Michael
Clarke.
"He batted really really well, he just came back into Test
cricket and he got a start which he did not capitalize on,
maybe he was trying to be cautious coming on to the end,"
reasoned Gayle who said he did not say too much to Marshall
before he went out to bat since he did not want to put him
under any additional pressure.
"The only thing I asked for was a big one, I didn't say
anything because I didn't want him to go out there and
change his game," Gayle said.
Gayle also said that Marshall is a changed young man who is
more focussed and determined after having disciplinary
challenges early in his career. At the end of the opening
day Marshall was lavish in praise for the advice and
guidance Gayle, the senior West Indies opening batsman
offered him several months ago.
"He has had difficulties throughout his career, he was out
of First Class cricket for a year and now you can see the
determination and the hunger. He is definitely a different
person. He has had issues which the board has dealt with, he
needed comfort to come back into the cricket and make it so
far to be back into Test cricket," Gayle revealed.
"It's good to see him back and in a different and better
frame of mind and now he needs to continue and keep his
focus," the 28 year old left hander said.
"He will eventually get a bit more mature and I am happy
with the progress he is making, he is the sort of guy who
plays the cricket with a passion, you can see that in how he
throws himself around in the out field," the tall and
powerful Jamaican said of his fellow countryman.
Gayle also revealed that Marshall is headstrong but that
trait can be a major advantage in international cricket once
he is managed well.
"He is a strong-minded person and he will never back down
from any situation or anyone at all, it is all about how you
go about things and manage him and how you show him how to
capitalize in Test cricket," Gayle reasoned.
