Partnerships were needed to win

TUESDAY 24 JUNE – ARNOS VALE, ST VINCENT – West Indies captain Chris

Gayle said that his team thought that his team could have overhauled Australia’s

273 for 8 in the First Digicel One Day International but that getting partnerships

was the key factor.

Chris Gayle appeals for an LBW decision against Michael Hussey - Brooks La Touche Photography

“I thought it (274) was gettable but we didn’t utilize the wicket well, it was a

pretty decent wicket to bat on but it was unfortunate that we lost wickets at

crucial times, we didn’t get any partnerships going (and) it’s going to be difficult

once you’re not getting partnerships,” Gayle said at the conclusion of the game

which the West Indies lost by 84 runs after they made 189 in 39.5 overs.

Ramnaresh Sarwan celebrates the wicket of Cameron White - Brooks La Touche Photography

Australia takes a 1-0 lead in the five match Digicel ODI Series with the teams

now moving to Grenada for the Second and Third Digicel ODIs.

Conceding that the Australians played better cricket and emerged deserving

winners, Gayle said that when the visitors batted he employed his spinners to

make the batsmen uncomfortable and felt that the ploy worked to some extent.

“It was a slow track and the Aussies like the ball coming on to the bat and we

tried to use a bit of variation and it worked today, (Ramnaresh) Sarwan and

(Sulieman) Benn bowled tremendously and (I) chipped in with ten overs as well,”

Gayle said as the three spinners bowled 25 of the 50 overs the Australians

faced.

Shaun Marsh drives to the boundary - DigicelCricket.com - Brooks La Touche Photography

Those 25 overs cost 128 runs and the spinners picked up three wickets.

Gayle, who opened the bowling then removed himself from the attack after one

over, bowled ten overs for 55 runs and took the wicket of Michael Hussey who

made 44.

Benn accounted for Brad Haddin (50) with his ten overs costing 39 runs while

Sarwan dismissed Cameron White (8) and his five overs cost 34 runs.

Sulieman Benn bowls - Brooks La Touche Photography

Gayle also said that with he, Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (who missed

the game due to a calf injury) the team is discussing whether players should

come into the squad as cover.

“That has been one of our discussions to actually get players in (as cover for the

injured players) it’s up to the (injured) individual if he can manage but at the

same time we want 100% out in the middle, it is something we have to discuss,”

Gayle revealed.

Gayle has been suffering from a groin injury for two months, confessing the day

before the match that it has not fully healed and it was clear that he was

experiencing discomfort on the field. He made it clear that he was willing to play

with the injury and his vice captain, Sarwan also played with a groin injury.

(COURTESY-: digicelcricket.com)