Gayle urges fellow batsmen to step up

SYDNEY, Australia, CMC – Chris Gayle deflected comments that the Sydney Thunder was a one-man show following his outstanding form in the Big Bash Twenty20 League for the franchise.

The estranged West Indies opener has the fourth highest aggregate in the tournament of 232 runs at an average of 58.00.

Chris Gayle

But David Warner, whose only innings in the competition was an undefeated 102 before taking up Australia national team duties, is the next best for the Thunder.

Gayle said his side’s batting had to come better in the remaining matches, including a showdown with Perth Scorchers today at the ANZ Stadium.

“Our batting has been our downfall, to be honest,” said Gayle. “In our first game, David Warner gave us a good start, and I got some runs in some games, but as a team performance, I’d give our batting a six out of 10.

“We haven’t really had the partnerships going, and we keep losing wickets at crucial times that have cost us the last few games.”

Gayle added: “We’re all aware of it and we will still try to get the job done. I don’t follow talk of this being a ‘one-man team’.

“Since I’ve been playing with the West Indies these things have occurred. I don’t pay attention to it and hopefully we can all pull together as one.”

Gayle gave himself 7 ½ to eight out of 10, and was disappointed to be dismissed for a rare duck against fellow Sydney side, the Sixers, in the previous match.