One World
June 14, 2009, 01:57 AM
http://www.cricinfo.com/wt202009/content/current/story/408850.html
West Indies struggled to match the intensity of their performance against India, slipping to a 20-run defeat at The Oval, which leaves them facing a vital encounter against England, and Gayle couldn't understand why today's games weren't scheduled the opposite way round. Even if West Indies hadn't qualified, this would have been a situation facing Australia and it seems an unnecessary demand on the players in a high-intensity game, although all teams had the chance to discuss the schedule well before the tournament started.
"It might not look like it affects you, but it's a mental thing as well," Gayle said. "We played a day/night game then came here to play a day game. Less than 24 hours later and you are back on the field again. It would have been nice if it was another five o'clock game to give us a bit more of a break. We didn't get much time to plan for South Africa, but we are cricketers and this is what we are here to do.
"Twenty20 may look simple but it takes a lot out of you mentally and can be draining but the itinerary was like this and we came to play a good game of cricket today. It's disappointing to lose, but I have to commend the guys for the efforts that they put in after the victory against India yesterday and then coming here."
Could not agree more.
West Indies struggled to match the intensity of their performance against India, slipping to a 20-run defeat at The Oval, which leaves them facing a vital encounter against England, and Gayle couldn't understand why today's games weren't scheduled the opposite way round. Even if West Indies hadn't qualified, this would have been a situation facing Australia and it seems an unnecessary demand on the players in a high-intensity game, although all teams had the chance to discuss the schedule well before the tournament started.
"It might not look like it affects you, but it's a mental thing as well," Gayle said. "We played a day/night game then came here to play a day game. Less than 24 hours later and you are back on the field again. It would have been nice if it was another five o'clock game to give us a bit more of a break. We didn't get much time to plan for South Africa, but we are cricketers and this is what we are here to do.
"Twenty20 may look simple but it takes a lot out of you mentally and can be draining but the itinerary was like this and we came to play a good game of cricket today. It's disappointing to lose, but I have to commend the guys for the efforts that they put in after the victory against India yesterday and then coming here."
Could not agree more.