Windies banking on pacer Jerome to deliver knock out punch against India
Windies banking on pacer Jerome to deliver knock out punch against India
West Indies captain Chris Gayle believes the form of fast bowler Jerome Taylor may be the deciding factor in the one-day series against India, which gets under way in Kingston today.
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mean: Jerome Taylor. PIC/AFP |
Fiery quick Fidel Edwards is out of the West Indies' 13-man squad with a back injury, and Gayle believes Taylor's performance with the new ball could be the key to toppling the Indian top order. "I hope Jerome can be strong for us in this series. He has a big part to play," said Gayle.
Never a walkover "It is never a walkover against India. There are a lot of guys there to give us a lot of trouble, so we just have to stick to the gameplan and make it a successful one."
West Indies are on a high after ending their largely miserable tour of England with an unexpected semi-final appearance at the ICC World Twenty20. Their run to the final four which featured wins against India, Australia and England has left Taylor in bullish mood for the four-match series. But he admits he is relieved to discover the opposition will be without experienced duo Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. Tendulkar, along with Zaheer Khan, has been rested for the whistle-stop tour which concludes on July 5 while Sehwag has been troubled by a shoulder injury and has not been risked. "Tendulkar and Sehwag are world-class players, and [their absence] would ease the pressure somewhat," said Taylor.
"But we won't take anything for granted. We are going out there to make the Caribbean proud. You have quality players in the India team. At the end of the day it's still a cricket match - you have to go out on the park, keep a cool head and give the best of yourself." Taylor will be joined in the bowling department by seamers Ravi Rampaul and Lionel Baker along with left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn and all-rounders Dwayne Bravo and Dave Bernard.
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