Gayle brands Gabba loss a ‘disaster’
By ANISunday, November 29, 2009
BRISBANE - Under fire skipper Chris Gayle has described his team’s first Test defeat to Australia at the Gabba as a “disaster”.
Australia secured victory by an innings and 65 runs.
Starting the day at 5-134, the Windies were rolled over for 228 in the first innings, and crashed to 187 at their second attempt.
The stars ffrom Australia were fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus (5/70) and off-spinner Nathan Hauritz (5/57).
Adrian Barath (104) became the youngest West Indian to score a century at 19 years and 228 days, but Gayle made no attempt to mask the magnitude of the defeat ahead of the second Test in Adelaide.
“We need to rebound from this three-day disaster before the next Test [starting on Friday],” the Daily Telegraph quoted Gayle, as saying: “I am very disappointing with the batting in both innings. We will just have to go back to the nets and rebuild for the second Test match.”
Although the loss will intensify pressure on Gayle, he has no plans to vacate the leadership post.
“No captain wants to lose. You have to be a strong individual in these circumstances. You tell yourself you can do it and you try and lift the players. It is a tough situation but I have been around long enough to know how to handle these situations,” Gayle said.
For Ponting, the Gabba mauling was an emphatic statement from a side in the rebuilding phase.
“I spoke to my guys before the Test about how I expected the team to play and today was a big part of that,” Ponting said. (ANI)
