Gayle chides batting trio after stinging defeat
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) — West Indies captain Chris Gayle has expressed disappointment with three of his batsmen after the Caribbean side crashed to an embarrassing two-run defeat against Zimbabwe on Thursday.
The home team, chasing 255 to win from 50 overs, handed the tourists victory after losing two wickets in the final over and were restricted to 252 for nine in the first One-Day International at the Guyana National Stadium.
One of the dismissals in the last over came from a poor stroke by Dwayne Smith (4), while Kieron Pollard (5) and Denesh Ramdin (8) also gave their hands away through soft dismissals at vital stages earlier.
“In the Australia series, I saw improvements in the likes of Pollard and Smith. To come here — and the way they went about it, I must say I am very disappointed in those two guys and Ramdin,” Gayle said.
“Those guys were key for us and the way they went about it was a terrible display. It is very disappointing and sad to see how they went about it.”
Smith was bowled with four runs required off the last three balls after Nikita Miller had given West Indies hope by striking a six and a four in successive balls of fast medium Hamilton Masakadza at the beginning of the 50th over.
Zimbabwe are ranked lower than the West Indies in the One-Day International ratings, but Gayle said they were in no way taking their opponents for granted.
“Zimbabwe are here to win. There is no way we can under estimate them. We saw what they have to offer in the T20.
“Zimbabwe have beaten Australia. It is not a team that we are taking for granted. They are here to win just like us and credit must go to them.
“The way they pushed and ran hard between the wickets showed how hungry and determined they are.”
Despite the defeat, which was the West Indies’ second in succession to Zimbabwe following a loss by 26 runs in a Twenty20 International on Sunday, Gayle called on regional fans to rally around the team.
The second match of the series is on today at the same ground.
“We are still going to need that support regardless of the result. When you do crap, it’s definitely crap and there is no excuse,” he said.
“Guys have to take responsibility out there in the middle. It is just sad and disappointing.”
