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Chanderpaul will move up the order - Gayle

Imran Khan | 03/07/07

BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom - West Indies captain Chris Gayle spoke with the media shortly after a hailstorm on Tuesday afternoon at Edgbaston. Following are excerpts from his responses to various issues raised with him by journalists:

On whether there has been any decision regarding Shivnarine Chanderpaul moving up the batting order:

It (Chanderpaul moving up the order) is something that is definitely going to happen but we haven't decided where (whether opening, number three or number four) as yet, we're still in discussions. He has been tremendous right throughout the tour and he has been our 'in form' batsman and he should get more balls under his belt. Chanderpaul can up the tempo whenever he needs to. Whenever the situation requires aggression I am sure he can take up that challenge, we know the great player he is.

On the current bad weather in Birmingham:

It's not the best for us. We would like to get some cricket under our belts unfortunately it is out of our hands right now (and) there is nothing we can do, just try and prepare well for the game. Hopefully we can get some cricket on the way tomorrow and it could be a shorter version of the game when you look at the (flooded) field conditions now, (play tomorrow) looks tricky. We have to take it like a 20/20 if it boils down to that and I am sure they guys will enjoy that. Having played two 20/20s they find it a bit interesting and they really like it but obviously we would like to get 50 overs in, regardless of what the conditions may be we'll be up for it.

On the players appearing to respond positively to his captaincy:

I think it is all about respect. I have a lot of respect for the guys and they give me the same support on the field. It boils down to good friendships as well. I get along well with everyone. We talk about a lot of things, players feel free to discuss things with me, so it makes it much easier for me to lead the guys.

On whether he would like to continue as captain:

It is not something I dwell on to be honest but getting the opportunity (now), I give thanks for it and I am trying and make the best of it. When (Ramnaresh) Sarwan comes back he will be happily welcomed back as captain, he will be the one to take over all these things and if I am in the team I will be supporting him as well.

On bowling well in the first ODI but batting poorly:

We have (had) discussions about it. (The batting) is where we went wrong, something that has happened in the past. It is something that we are trying to solve at this point in time. I am speaking to individuals and letting them know that the situation awareness is very important and the mindset and those things have to be put in play and the team will benefit from it as we go on. We are working as a group and everyone is up for the challenge once we get some cricket in.

On whether it has been hard being captain while having to deal with 'peripheral' issues:

I'm only human, it's very hard to be dealing with all these things but I prepared myself for these sorts of things in life. I have to go out there and get the job done, it doesn't matter what circumstances may be.

On whether he wants to leave England on a better note personally:

It's been a while that I haven't stepped up to the plate and get the job done as a batter. I have been struggling but as a professional you have to pick yourself up and keep believing. It's been a while I haven't come up with the goods and I am looking to improve my game, there is always room for improvement. I am always working on my game, it doesn't matter whether I am scoring runs or not so I am looking forward to it and hopefully I can lead from the front and try and set the standard for the guys to follow. If it doesn't happen I'm sure we have the capabilities in the guys to go out there and get the job done, it is up to them to believe.

On him thinking through his aggressive intent:

It's all about the mind, it's not going out there and blasting every ball. You have to think about it and assess the situation as quickly as possible and try and take it from there and try to pace yourself and gradually the runs will come. These things, as a batter, you have to take into consideration.

On Fidel Edwards' bowling:

I thought he was tremendous. Having missed the two 20/20 games he came in fresh and ran at the England guys and hopefully he can continue and go on from strength to strength and better his performance.

On whether he and Dwayne Bravo are fit to bowl:

(Laughs) There was a 'little thing' going on with Bravo and the physio (Stephen Partridge who had advised Bravo not to bowl due to an ankle injury) but I didn't use him as much as I could (in the first ODI). I bowled him for about five (overs) which was the target I was looking at. I still have a rib issue, I shouldn't be bowling a lot to be honest but yes I can bowl.

On the weather being harsh throughout the tour:

It has been really hard for us for the entire summer. Preparation-wise we have to be using mostly indoor facilities and as a player you would want as much outdoor practice as possible. There is nothing we can do about it, we have to work with it and try and deal with the situation when you get the chance out there.