'We apologise for the loss'
Sat, Jul 5, '08
Chris Gayle apologised to West Indies fans on behalf of his team for the narrow one-run loss in the Fourth Digicel One Day International at Warner Park today."We apologise for the loss, I would have given up these runs (his top score of 92) to actually get a victory today," Gayle said as his team ended on 281 for 6 chasing Australia's 282 for 8.
"We really need to give the fans something, I'm really disappointed to come out on the losing side again," said Gayle who fell painfully short of what would have been his 16th ODI ton.
"We still have one more game (the Fifth Digicel ODI on Sunday July 6th also at Warner Park) to go and we're going to play it hard again," Gayle assured the fans who turned out in large numbers to watch the regional side.
Gayle said he thought that the partnership between himself and his vice captain Ramnaresh Sarwan who made 63 set the foundation for victory but he ultimately took the blame for the loss.
"I thought myself and Sarwan really set the foundation, Sarwan getting out in the end and the manner in which I got out as well, I was very disappointed. I really take the blame for that, I should have carried on and get a hundred and see the team home," Gayle said shortly after the end of the match.
Despite taking the blame for the loss Gayle also urged the other batsmen to step up to the plate and take responsibility.
"In this difficult condition most guys have to try and take responsibility at this particular time, you have to work out the cricket and try and take it home regardless of who is batting," Gayle said.
West Indies head coach John Dyson lay the blame for the loss on the regular loss of wickets.
"The thing that muck up chases are wickets and we lost wickets at times we really didn't want to lose wickets," Dyson told reporters.
He also said that the habit of losing can also impact negative in tense games which go down to the wire.
"Players do feel pressure and when they're in these sort of situation, experience is a great thing to have behind you, you see Australia in a pressure situation when they are used to winning and they stay as calm as calm can be. Perhaps because our guys, because they are not used to winning, feel the pressure more," Dyson reasoned.
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