Gayle calls for tailenders to step up
While Jerome Taylor's century has pleased West Indies captain Chris Gayle, he expected the other bowlers to improve their batting skills as well. Gayle marked out fast bowler Daren Powell for criticism
Cricinfo staff
16-Dec-2008
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Chris Gayle, the West Indies captain, was impressed by Jerome Taylor's century in the drawn first Test against New Zealand but not so with Taylor's fellow lower-order batsmen. Gayle criticised the contributions of his lower order, singling out fast bowler Daren Powell, and asked them to improve in coming Tests.
"I'm disappointed with Daren's batting in the last few months," Gayle said after rain had marred much of the Test. "He needs to step up as he's a better batsman than that."
Powell was out for a duck, along with fellow tailender Fidel Edwards. In his last ten Tests, Powell has scored a meagre 102 runs at 6.80. "I'm looking for better things from him with the bat," Gayle said. Edwards' stats for the same number of Tests is worse - he has scored 45 at 3.75, with seven ducks from 17 innings.
Gayle was happy, however, with West Indies' overall performance in the Test. "It was cold and we had a lot of rain, but we adapted well and had some very good performances.
"There is always room for improvement and we will be looking for improvement in all departments. We will be back in business in Napier in a few days and we will be looking for a win in that match. We expect better weather conditions."