Holder: Gayle will be ready for quarters
The West Indies were without opening batsman Chris Gayle for their final group match against the UAE on Sunday, but skipper Jason Holder has assured fans that the Jamaican will be back for the quarter-finals.
The six-wicket win for the Windies saw them advance to the next round (assuming the Pakistan-Ireland game has a positive result, at the time of writing) and will face New Zealand in Wellington.
This will be crucial for the Caribbean side after a rollercoaster group stage, and they will need Gayle to fire on all cylinders. Holder, who took four wickets against the UAE, said it was nothing to worry about.
Holder said of Gayle: "He has had the same back problem he has had for a year and he has good days and bad days.
"But he is a crucial player for us going into the quarter-final. He will be up for it, even if he is not 100 percent.
"He is a big game player and we all know what he can do on those days.
"Obviously Johnson (Charles, who made a half ton) played a very good innings and has probably pretty much secured his spot for the next game but we will sit down, see the conditions and pick the team."
The Black Caps are unbeaten in the tournament so far, with paceman Trent Boult particularly impressive, and Holder knows his batsmen will have to combat Boult and Tim Southee, as well as get the dangerous top order back in the hut.
The skipper continued: "New Zealand has been playing some pretty decent cricket.
"They have done reasonably well up top with guys like (Martin) Guptill, McCullum and Kane Williamson, so obviously the quicker we get into their middle order, the better off for us.
"And when we bat we just need to counter the Southee-Boult opening combination."
Latest
-
NewsIndia lose openers cheaply as Australia build on Steve Smith ton in WTC final
India were 37 for two at tea after Australia were bowled out for 469.
-
NewsAustralia’s Steve Smith racks up seventh Test century on English soil
Smith helped his side reach 442 for seven on day two against India at the Oval.
-
EnglandOn this day 2011: England’s Matt Prior reprimanded over smashed window at Lord’s
Prior’s angry reaction came after he was run out on the final day of the second Test against Sri Lanka.
-
T20 BlastJos Buttler hits half-century as Lancashire return to winning ways in the Blast
Opener Buttler hit 58 off 42 balls as the hosts successfully chased down 178
-
The AshesJos Buttler believes Moeen Ali will thrive on return to England’s Test side
has not played an international Test for nearly two years.
-
-
World Test ChampionshipTravis Head lays down Ashes marker with blistering century against India
Head was the standout performer as the Baggy Greens racked up 327 for three.
-
The AshesMoeen Ali’s return makes England stronger – Graeme Swann
Moeen is poised to play his first red-ball cricket in almost two years.
-
World Test ChampionshipTravis Head hits quickfire 60 to give Australia momentum in WTC against India
Head was at his counter-punching best, reeling off 10 boundaries in 75 balls to push the pressure back on to the Indian attack.
-
Women's CricketEngland captain Heather Knight sets sights on landmark summer of Ashes cricket
Giant images of Knight and Stokes were beamed on to one of London’s best known sights as part of the countdown to the men’s and women’s series.