da bet esporte： The next two weeks could provide a much-needed boost for West Indies cricket and while the success of the World Twenty20 as a whole will play a part in that, nothing would help more than a winning run by the home side
Andrew McGlashan in Guyana30-Apr-2010
West Indies’ hopes rest largely on the shoulders of Chris Gayle•Getty Images
The next two weeks could provide a much-needed boost for West Indiescricket and while the success of the World Twenty20 as a whole willplay a part in that, nothing would help more than a successful run bythe home side. Providence was almost full for the warm-up matchagainst New Zealand, but the hosts’ batting collapse which threw awaythe match left a lot of people saying “here we go again.”However, Chris Gayle has pleaded with supporters not to panic and togive his team a chance when their campaign begins on the opening dayof the tournament against Ireland. It’s a match they can’t afford totake lightly, but if they avoid an upset they will go a long waytowards securing passage to the second stage and fragile confidencewill have been given a timely boost.West Indies’ demise on Wednesday evening under the lights had afamiliar feel to it. When Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul were adding68 for the first wicket all was under control – with Gayle comfortablyclearing the stands with one huge blow – but then the wheels came offonce the captain departed.”I’ve been stressing about it over and over again so I don’t know whatelse I can do at this moment in time,” Gayle said. “I’d like to givethem the benefit of the doubt that we’ll turn it around. Hopefullythis tournament will be that occasion. Give me that chance to comehere and say we’ve done something differently and the guys havestepped up.”Maybe we took things for granted and we ended up losing the game. Itwasn’t the start we wanted leading into the competition but we need toput that behind us and concentrate on the Ireland game.”Gayle knows that the public will accept nothing less than a successfulevent for West Indies and they are showing their commitment to theteam early on by helping strong pre-tournament ticket sales. After thedebacle of the 2007 World Cup it will be a relief to see full,excitable stands at the grounds and the long-suffering fans deservesomething to smile about.”There’s pressure for us to deliver, we are at home and theexpectation is high,” Gayle said. “We know the conditions well andthere shouldn’t be any excuses. But in Twenty20 every team should havea chance of winning so we shouldn’t be favourites at the start.”It will be good for the Caribbean and I’m sure they will enjoy atatmosphere. We did well in the last tournament by reaching thesemi-finals. Neither tournament so far as been won by the host so itwill be a tough ask for us, but it is achievable. We have the power todo it with bat and ball. We aren’t looking too far ahead, but arebacking ourselves to get the job done.”Gayle believes that lessons have been learnt from three years ago andthis time the world will see the true Caribbean flavour on show. “Itis important based on the last World Cup held here which didn’t go toowell,” he said. “That was based on the ticket pricing and I think wewill get a different occasion this time with a lot more locals comingdown so it will be huge for us. The people love their cricket and theatmosphere should be great.”Just to make Gayle’s job that little bit harder the West Indies camphas been hit by injury problems on the eve of the tournament. JeromeTaylor, the pace spearhead, is struggling with shoulder and ankleconcerns while Sulieman Benn, who has been a surprise weapon with thenew ball in recent times, also has a shoulder problem. Kieron Pollardmissed the warm-up match against New Zealand with flu, but is expectedto recover in time for the opening game.”We have some niggling injuries from the last few days and they are aconcern.” Gayle said. “So we are on the back foot a bit and will haveto wait and see what happens.”However, for all the injury problems and form issues, in Gayle WestIndies have a man capable of winning a match on his own. Ideally, thecaptain would like others to help him shoulder the burden but -contrary to his often laid-back appearance – he is a proud cricketerand don’t be surprised to see him take the opening day by storm. Itwould be the perfect start.