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ICC World Twenty20, 2007-08

West Indies keen on being Twenty20 champions - Gayle

Cricinfo staff

September 6, 2007

Chris Gayle: "West Indies would like to get hold of that [ICC World Twenty20] trophy first" © Getty Images

Chris Gayle says West Indies want to be the first Twenty20 world champions, a format many believe suits his attacking style of play.

"It is perfectly suited to me yes but it is still an international game, it is a shorter version of one-day cricket," he said. "I know everyone enjoys it to see balls being hit everywhere; but on the field apart from the fun of it all everyone wants to win it and West Indies would like to get hold of that trophy first."

West Indies had also won the inaugural World Cup for one-dayers in 1975.

Gayle said the team was upbeat after arriving in South Africa. "All the guys are keen to go. We're a bit jet-lagged but we [have begun] to do some work in the gym and on the field to get that out of our system and move on from here on in. The team spirit is high."

Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who might partner Gayle at the top of the order for West Indies, aired similar views. "We are looking to win, not just to play good cricket but to win and take the trophy, it's good to see all the guys in good spirits and talking about winning this tournament," he said. "We showed some good form in the two Twenty20 games we played in England a few weeks ago and in the 50-over games as well. What we have to do is take that form into this tournament."

Chanderpaul indicated that batsmen needed to innovate in Twenty20. "It is a faster-paced game. You have to go out there and score because the overs run out on you very quickly. You have to find ways and you have to try things because you need runs on the board quickly."

Daren Powell, who picked up 14 wickets in an otherwise lacklustre display at home during the World Cup, said that bowlers could capitalise as the batsmen would look to play shots. "It is a batsman's game but since the batsmen will be very aggressive this will give you the chance to take a couple of wickets.

"There is a 60 per cent chance for the opening fast bowlers to exploit the wicket and make inroads in the first over or two when the batsmen are not sure how the pitch will play. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't but as a bowling unit we are hoping it works."

Gayle also hoped that West Indies could do a repeat of the first match of the 2003 World Cup, where they beat hosts South Africa. "It would be nice to do the same here but we can't take anything for granted. I'm sure they [South Africa] have worked on us by going to the drawing board and I'm sure they will look to capitalise on us and get a good start."

West Indies and South Africa square off in the opening game of the tournament on September 11.

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