'England are strong favourites' - Gayle

Chris Gayle, the Stanford Superstars captain, is confident his team can beat England in the US$20 million Stanford 20/20 for 20 on November 1. Gayle knows the visitors begin the one-week Stanford Super Series as favourites, but says anything could happen in the shorter form of the game.

"England are strong favourites," Gayle said. "They are well balanced and very talented, it will not be easy."But against [favourites] South Africa, England won 4-0 [in the ODIs] and we can do it as well.

"In Twenty20 cricket there is no comfort zone and anything can happen, regardless of who are favourites," Gayle said. "One delivery can change the game."

The Superstars squad includes a few West Indies regulars alongside those who have performed in Twenty20s on the domestic circuit. "It is a good mixture and I think we have the talent to get out there and get the job done. Everybody is looking forward to the tournament over here. We are really excited."

"To be honest I never thought that when I started to play cricket, I would be playing for so much money. Credit must go to Sir Allen Stanford for organising and developing the game here."

Gayle also had time to kick off some verbal talk with his opposite number. "He [Pietersen] already has plenty of money so he should make it easy for us. This is a life-changing amount of money for us. If we win, it's important we spend it wisely.

"Our preparation has been going well so we are just waiting on the big day."