West Indies captain Chris Gayle - file
kingstown st vincent, cmc
West Indies captain Chris Gayle is determined not to let his recent long-term groin injury that has limited him to just one match in the current Digicel Home Series, affect his performance in the upcoming One-Day International contests.
"I'm just going to go out there and be positive and try and block out the unnecessary things [because] you don't want to take on too much things at this particular time. You [can] go out there a bit worried as well about the injury and so on," Gayle told reporters yesterday.
"You have to know how to pace yourself ... I'm looking to enjoy it, I'm going to enjoy it. We'll see how much we can just rally around each other and see if we can come up with another victory."
Gayle has been ailing since April with the injury that ruled him out of the Indian Premier League and caused him to miss the first two Tests against Australia in Jamaica and Antigua respectively.
The aggressive left-handed opener played in the final Test at Kensington Oval but was subsequently rested for the Twenty20 International at the same venue last Friday.
Burden of recent injury
Gayle admitted the burden of the recent injury, being the team's No. 1 opener and the additional responsibility of captain, was a huge undertaking.
"To be honest, it is something I sit and think about. Actually I always spend time with myself and try and analyse things before they actually happen," he noted.
"I try and work it out and see the best ways I can come with the best formula to actually be part of the team as a captain. It (combined responsibility) is something I just have to monitor and I just have to work with it."
West Indies face Australia in the first ODI of the five-match series at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex today.
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