Gayle Confident Of Upset

West Indies captain Chris Gayle believes his side have what it takes to beat Australia going into the up-coming one-day international and Twenty20 matches, despite losing five key players to injury.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan are the latest players on the treatment table, along with bowlers Jerome Taylor, Fidel Edwards and Sulieman Benn.

Gayle has been playing for the Queensland Bulls since the conclusion of the Test series in Australia and the 30-year-old is adamant the team can cause an upset.

He said: "We are without two key batsmen, Shiv (Chanderpaul) and (Ramnaresh) Sarwan but this is a chance for other players to grab the opportunity and make a name.

"It will be a challenging tour but I know we are capable of winning.

"The Aussies are a good team and they played well against Pakistan, but they are beatable.
Capable

"We have been watching the series and we have seen what the Australians have to offer."

The captain believes a good start is essential if they are to upset the odds and is looking for his side to hit the ground running.

He said: "We need a good start and we will be looking to start well against the Prime Ministers XI.

"This will be a very serious game for us. We want a solid start and we want all the players to be in the right frame of mind when we take to the field on Thursday.

"On our side we have a lot to offer. We have depth, and we have players who are capable match-winners.

"Everyone knows what is required. We know the Aussies will come hard against us and we know we have to be on the money."

The West Indies have recently appointed Ottis Gibson as head coach, but the 40-year-old will have to wait until the start of the Digicel series against Zimbabwe in February before assuming the reins.