(Sydney Morning Herald) West Indies blaster Chris Gayle claims he has paid little attention to Australia’s Ashes demise, saying his busy party lifestyle prevented him from watching the series.
England took a 2-1 series lead and ensured the urn would remain in their hands by thumping Australia by an innings and 157 runs in the fourth Test at the MCG.
Gayle touched down in Perth on Tuesday as Australia limped towards defeat but the former West Indies skipper was more interested in focusing on his upcoming Twenty20 stint with WA rather than the disaster befalling Ricky Ponting’s men.
“I didn’t follow much of it because it kind of clashed with my party events in Jamaica,” Gayle said of the Ashes.
“In the nights, cricket starts late my time.
“I heard England retained the Ashes, so congrats to them on their part.”
Gayle will be hoping to play a larger role in the Big Bash this summer after being restricted to just two games for WA last season due to a side strain.
The 31-year-old, who hit a towering six onto the Lillee-Marsh stand roof during a Test against Australia at the WACA last year, said he was eyeing some more big hits, starting with today’s home clash with Tasmania.
“Hopefully I can repeat it or even go further,” Gayle said.
Despite WA’s struggles in the Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup formats this season, coach Mickey Arthur was confident his team could turn around their fortunes in the T20 format.
“I genuinely believe we can win it and I believe that with all my heart,” Arthur said.
“T20 cricket is very unpredictable.
“One ball determines the course of the game.
“To have Chris around just adds extra excitement.
“He’s a world-class player so hopefully he can put in some world-class performances for us.”
Emerging WA batsman Tom Beaton could miss the whole tournament after being struck on the elbow by former Victorian paceman Mick Lewis during training on Tuesday.
Lewis, who retired from first-class cricket two years ago, is in line to earn a shock gig with WA after impressing Arthur during a recent training stint.
“We’ve been looking for some impact at the death, he’s been able to give us that impact,” Arthur said of the 36-year-old, who played seven one-dayers and two T20s for Australia.
“I think there’s a role for … just an out-and-out specialist death bowler in T20 cricket and he can do that, so there’s a good chance he will (play for us).”
Tasmanian wicketkeeper Tim Paine has been named in the Tigers’ 14-man squad after recovering from a broken finger sustained in an exhibition game last month.
Big-hitting Dutchman Ryan ten Doeschate is set to debut for Tasmania, while Pakistan all-rounder Rana Naveed is back for his second stint after snaring nine wickets and scoring 79 runs last summer.
Western Australia: Marcus North (capt), Chris Gayle, Sajid Mahmood, Shaun Marsh, Michael Beer, Liam Davis, Adam Voges, Tom Beaton, Luke Pomersbach, Luke Ronchi, Matt Johnston, Michael Swart, Aaron Heal, Michael Hogan, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Mick Lewis, Matt Dixon, Brett Dorey.
Tasmania: George Bailey (capt), Travis Birt, Luke Butterworth, Mark Cosgrove, Ed Cowan, Xavier Doherty, Brendan Drew, James Faulkner, Jason Krejza, Rhett Lockyear, Rana Naveed, Tim Paine, Ryan ten Doeschate, Jonathan Wells.
