West Indies in New Zealand

Gayle set for battle against New Zealand

 

West Indies Captain Chris Gayle is prepared for the big role he has to play in the upcoming Test Series against New Zealand. The powerful left-hander said that, looking at the opponents, he anticipates a keenly-contested series.

 

“The battle is going to be a very competitive one. New Zealand have some inexperienced batsmen who will be looking to prove a point. We have some new players who will be looking for opportunities to make a name on the international stage. I’m feeling confident. Whenever the first match comes we will be ready for the main assignment,” Gayle said.

“I have a big part to play as a senior player. I have been here before and I will be doing all I can to help the new players and also to make a big contribution to the team. The build-up has been good. I am hitting the ball very well. We have a match coming up against Auckland where we will look to use to get fully ready for the Test matches.”

 

The Windies continued their preparation on Tuesday with a three-hour net session in the morning and gym work-outs in the evening. They will have another full session in the nets on Wednesday.

They will face the Auckland team in an official First-Class match from Friday to Sunday at the Eden Park Outer Oval. The first Test will be at the University Oval in Dunedin and the second Test at McLean Park, Napier.

 

Gayle said he and other team-mates have been monitoring the New Zealand players in the recent series defeat against Australia.

 

“We have been looking at New Zealand in Australia. We watched the matches and also looked at clips to see what the New Zealand players are all about. Australia beat then, but they will be coming back here, on home soil, and will be looking to hit back at us. We will have to counter that. We have a good idea what will be required,” he said.

 

FIXTURES

Friday, Dec 5 to Sunday, Dec 7: vs Auckland at Eden Park Outer Oval

Thursday, Dec 11 to Monday, Dec 15: 1^st Test at University Oval, Dunedin

Friday Dec 19 to Tuesday, Dec 23: 2^nd Test at McLean Park, Napier

Friday, Dec 26: 1^st T20 International at Eden Park, Auckland

Sunday, Dec 28: 2^nd T20 International at Seddon Park, Hamilton

Wednesday, Dec 31: 1^st ODI at Queenstown Event Centre, Queenstown

Saturday, Jan 3: 2^nd ODI at AMI Stadium, Christchurch

Wednesday, Jan 7: 3^rd ODI at Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Saturday Jan 10: 4^th ODI at Eden Park, Auckland

Tuesday, Jan 13: 5^th ODI at McLean Park, Napier

 

SQUAD: Chris Gayle (Captain), Ramnaresh Sarwan (Vice Captain), Lionel Baker, Carlton Baugh Jnr, Sulieman Benn, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Fidel Edwards, Leon Johnson, Xavier Marshall, Brendan Nash, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Jerome Taylor.

 

STAFF: Omar Khan (Team Manager), John Dyson (Head Coach), David Williams (Assistant Coach), C.J. Clark (Physiotherapist), Steve Folkes (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Richard Berridge (Analyst), Virgil Browne (Massage Therapist), Philip Spooner (Media Officer)