SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Pressure on Gayle for third ODI

West Indies captain Chris Gayle is feeling under pressure going into the third one day match today as Australia look to clinch the series.

Aust_gayle_ODI_100212_B_getty_449501724

4 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP, AFP


Skip to article content

Australia have the chance to clinch their five-match series of one-dayers against West Indies with victory in today's game three at the SCG.

Thunderstorms are predicted for Sydney with a top of 33 degrees forecast.

Tim Paine comes into the Australian team for the rested Brad Haddin while Australia coach Tim Nielsen has tipped all-rounder James Hopes to replace the rested Shane Watson in the line-up.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

West Indies captain Chris Gayle says he feels under pressure to produce a big score at the top of the order after the opener fell first ball of Tuesday's match in Adelaide, his fourth dismissal to the bowling of Doug Bollinger this summer.

Bollinger on form

Australia coach Tim Nielsen says pace bowler Doug Bollinger has been inspired to prove himself time and time again this summer.

The fiery left-armer has dismissed Gayle four times since the West Indies captain remarked ahead of the Adelaide Test: "What's the other guy's name? Bollinger? Bollinger."

Gayle's departure lbw to Bollinger from the first ball of Tuesday's second one-day international in Adelaide set the scene for Australia's eight-wicket win and gave the home side a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Bollinger, who describes himself as "loud and obnoxious", has little left to prove after claiming 25 wickets in five Tests this summer against Pakistan and the Windies and 10 more in five ODI matches against the two touring sides.

But sportsmen are always looking for a mental edge and the aggressive Bollinger has found his extra spur.

"I'd be lying if said people don't buy the papers or watch the news," Nielsen said at the SCG on Thursday.

"Players are aware of what's going on, and I'm sure it has been discussed in the middle as well.

"I'm not sure if it gave him any greater motivation, but he'd take some satisfaction from the fact someone has questioned where he sits in the structure, and now he's proven he's a bona fide member of international cricket and especially our team, which is great.'"

Will Gayle fire up?

Nielsen said Gayle, ranked the fourth-best batsman in ODI cricket, was due to fire at some stage in the five-game series, no matter how pumped up Bollinger was.

"He's too good a player and his record says over time that's he's going to come off," Nielsen said.

"What we have have done to date is create doubt in his mind about how we're going to bowl to him and how he's going to cope with that.

"It has only been two games, but the impact Doug had in first game, he was aggressive and went upstairs quite a lot in the first two overs and got a result.

"Then to have him sitting back the first ball the other day was a result of that (first game).

"I'm really pleased with our bowling group. They're creating doubt in all the batsmen's minds.

"I'd like to think we can keep Chris down."

Gayle boldly predicted his next big innings was not far away.

"The first three overs are very important for me," Gayle said on Thursday.

"Once I get past those three overs I should grab the opportunity and hopefully get a big one."

Gayle, who must shoulder a huge burden with injuries to experienced players like Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Dwayne Bravo, says he's happy to meet the aggressive Bollinger head-on.

"I'm not the (sort of) person who's going to go down non-striker's end," said Gayle, who's desperate to improve on his early scores of 7 and 0.

"I'll face the first ball."

But is Gayle feeling the pressure?

"I'd be lying if I said no. There is a bit of pressure but at the same time I can manage it," the 30-year-old Jamaican said.

"I can't run from it or hide from it, I have to face up to it and try and live up to the expectation."


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world