Gayle BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC:
RECALLED West Indies opening batsman Chris Gayle said Saturday he was intent on performing well for the side after using the period of his omission for the first two Tests in the Cable & Wireless series against Australia to train hard, motivate himself and pick up tips from their bowling tactics.
Speaking at a Press conference after top scoring with 71 in the West Indies first innings on Saturday, Gayle said it was not his intention to prove a point to the Sir Vivian Richards-chaired selection panel.
He, however, conceded he was disappointed at his non-selection for the Georgetown and Port-of-Spain Tests - both won by Australia.
Gayle was surprisingly omitted from both matches even though he was declared eligible when questions arose over his qualification for selection because of his decision to play in the World Double Wicket competition in St. Lucia instead of representing Jamaica in the Carib Beer International Challenge final against double-crown champions Barbados.
"I am not here to prove anything. All I want to do is play cricket, represent the West Indies and do well for the team," Gayle said when asked if he wanted to prove a point to the selectors.
"When I was dropped I used that as a guide and even worked harder on my game to set myself some targets for these (remaining) two Test matches. I really trained hard and so far I am pleased with myself the way I am batting now.
"I didn't really take it (omission) to heart but I was very disappointed in the manner in which it was done. But having said that, I really used it as a motivation to come back into cricket and try and stamp my class.
"No one has said anything to me but I am glad to be back in the team and looking forward to greater things.
"In the first two Test matches against Australia, I watched how they bowled to the left-handers and I tried and worked on that area. I really worked on my game."
Gayle and another left-hander Devon Smith (59) featured in an opening partnership of 139. Gayle, who batted for 189 minutes, faced 155 balls and struck 12 boundaries, said he enjoyed the stand while being sorry he did not reach three figures.
"First of all I feel very pleased to be back. It was a fairly good innings. "Unfortunately I did not get to carry on and get a big hundred.
"The wicket was very difficult to bat on. Shot selection was very difficult to come into play at times but I think myself and Smith really batted well," Gayle asserted.
"Devon smith is a pretty good stroker of the ball and trust me, one for the future as well. I really enjoy batting with him," said Gayle, who featured in a few fruitful first wicket partnerships with the Grenadian on the West Indies "A" team tour of England last year.
Gayle, who resumed Saturday on 47 in a score of 89, was first out - bowled off stump by fast bowler Jason Gillespie after he seemed to have the ball well covered.
"That was a good delivery. He ran wide of the crease and it pitched and left me. He is a very good bowler and you can't take that away from him," Gayle said.
Now Gayle believes that with the pitch deteriorating, West Indies will face an uphill task to draw the match.
"Some balls are keeping low and we are playing against good bowlers. Gillespie bowled well and (Glen) McGrath started off the innings by keeping it tight."
