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West Indies v Sri Lanka, 2nd Test, Trinidad

My demotion to No. 6 wasn't wrong - Gayle

Cricinfo staff

April 2, 2008

	"Chris Gayle never shirks from no one or no responsibility, never, whatever the team requires, I'll do it" © Digicel

Chris Gayle has rejected suggestions from Sri Lanka that his drop down the order in the first Test was a negative move, but he has refused to say where he will bat in the final match. Gayle, who usually walks out first, finished the opening loss with an unbeaten half-century, although he has been under pressure because of his problems at the top with Chaminda Vaas, who has dismissed him seven times in six Tests.

"Chris Gayle never shirks from no one or no responsibility, never, whatever the team requires, I'll do it," Gayle said on the eve of the deciding second Test in Port of Spain, which West Indies need to win to level the contest. The strong response was sparked by Mahela Jayawardene, the Sri Lanka captain, who said Gayle trod a "negative path" in the first Test.

"It played into our hands," Jayawardene said. "Once he comes there [at No. 6] he is one of their top players and he won't have the batting depth to bat with towards the latter part of their innings. He's got to bat with his tailenders and if we keep him quiet we can go with the other guys."

Gayle said Jayawardene's view was "wrong". "If you check other international teams they have done it before and no one said anything about it," Gayle said. "Herschelle Gibbs used to open the batting and batted in the middle for a year or two. We West Indians always come down hard on ourselves."

Dwayne Bravo was promoted into Gayle's spot and made 83 in the second innings in Guyana and the captain said it was a team decision for him to bat lower. "I don't just come up and say, 'I am going to do that'. I ask questions, 'players what do you think?', 'what's the best solution for the team?' If they do agree with it then I will go with it."

Gayle said no decision had been made on where he would bat at Queen's Park Oval from Thursday, but Sri Lanka expect him to return to opening. "I don't think he will make the same mistake in this Test," Jaywardene said, "but we will adjust ourselves to whatever they come up with."

© Cricinfo