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The Middle Order Was A Disaster – Gayle
Date Posted: June 29, 2008.
ST GEORGE'S, GRENADA – West Indies captain Chris Gayle, who
top scored in the Third Digicel One Day International with
53, had some stinging words of criticism for his middle
order batsmen who failed to capitalize on an opening stand
of 86 in 17.4 overs.
"I thought myself and Xavier (Marshall who made 35) really
started well this morning, the wicket was doing a bit early
up but the middle order was a disaster for us again," Gayle
said at the post match presentation ceremony.
"We set it up really well and they didn't actually carry
on," Gayle observed as his team made a modest 223 in 48
overs and lost by seven wickets as Australia took an
unassailable 3-0 lead in the five match Digicel ODI Series
with two games to be played in St Kitts.
"We have done a lot of talks but that is not going to help
us at this particular time, we need more action to be taken,
it's up to us as individuals to work out our game," said
Gayle who had said that the batting in the Second Digicel
ODI on Friday was a big disappointment. On that occasion the
West Indies capitulated to 58 for 6 before eventually
getting to 140 for 8 as they chased 204 from 41 overs after
a 55 rain interruption forced the use of the Duckworth/Lewis
calculations to revise the total. Australia had made 213 for
5 from 50 overs on a difficult pitch.
"We can't continue like this, it doesn't look good, the
outfield cricket doesn't look good as well, we really need
to pull our socks up," Gayle charged.
"We are looking forward to the two games (in St Kitts on
July 4th and 6th), we still have a lot of pride to play
for," the 28 year old left hander said.
Gayle said that with the opening stand of 86 the team was
looking to achieve a score in the vicinity of 280 in order
to ask the Australians to chase a competitive total. In the
end the visitors cantered home, achieving victory in 40.3
overs with opener Shane Watson scoring 126 and captain Ricky
Ponting scoring 69.
"With the start that we got we were basically looking at 280
but in the end we lost wickets and we didn't even bat out
the 50 overs which was very disappointing as well," Gayle
said.
When asked what would be done about the batting the hard
hitting Jamaican batsman hinted that he was looking forward
to some strong punitive action from the West Indies
selectors who will meet to select a squad for the final two
Digicel ODIs. He said the squad will be announced later this
evening or tomorrow and he is "looking to see what they come
up with".
Senior players Shivnarine Chanderpaul and vice captain
Ramnaresh Sarwan both got starts, getting to 32 and 31
respectively before getting out while rookie batsman Andre
Fletcher, playing his third ODI made 12.
All rounder Dwayne Bravo made 7 but looked unlucky to be
given out lbw to a delivery which struck him outside the
line of off stump. Gayle did not mention any names but those
four consist of the middle order along with wicketkeeper
Denesh Ramdin (21) and all rounder Darren Sammy who bats at
number 8 and made three.
