Caribbean News Now!

ST JOHN’S, Antigua -- West Indies opener Chris Gayle has said that he wouldn't take anything for granted in his team's upcoming tour of Bangladesh. Even though West Indies have lost only an ODI and a Twenty20 each in Bangladesh, he described the hosts as "dangerous at home".

The left-hand batsman was named in the 15-man Test squad that will arrive in Dhaka on November 3 to play two Tests. West Indies will also play five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 international.

"It is going to be a very challenging [series]. We know how dangerous Bangladesh can be at home. It's not a team where you want to go there and take lightly," said Gayle. "You've got to be mindful of the conditions and try and add up as quickly as possible and settle as much and whenever you get a chance, just try and maintain it and take it from there."

Upon making his return to Test cricket, Gayle averaged 80 against New Zealand which includes a 150 in his comeback innings. He has played four Tests against Bangladesh so far, in 2002 and 2004, and has an average of 69.40.

West Indies have toured Bangladesh for full series twice, in 2002 and 2011. Gayle wasn't in the teams during last year's tour and as a result it had brought the teams closer. But the likes of Marlon Samuels, Kirk Edwards, Darren Bravo and Devendra Bishoo starred in the 1-0 and 2-1 wins in the Test and ODI series.

"Most of the guys have been there before in Test series and in ODIs so most of the guys have experience, so it should be an interesting series," added Gayle.

Denesh Ramdin also toured Bangladesh in October last year, but played only in the ODI series and the solitary T20I. Carlton Baugh was the preferred wicketkeeper in the Tests, but Ramdin, since making a comeback earlier this year, has scored a century against England.

He has been named the vice-captain for the Bangladesh series, and is keen to take the opportunity after scoring 18 runs in the two Tests against New Zealand recently.

"It (the tour of Bangladesh) is an important one for me. I did not get [many] runs against New Zealand in the home series, and I would like to go out there and capitalise [on the opportunity]. I was there last year but I did not get the opportunity to play, so hopefully I can play this time and get some runs up there," he said.

The wicketkeeper, who is yet to play a Test against Bangladesh, added that the team has the momentum after winning the World Twenty20 earlier this month in Sri Lanka. "All the players (on the West Indies team) are on a high, and hopefully we can keep the momentum going and take that into the (pre-tour) camp in two weeks time, go up there and beat the home team," Ramdin said.

Reads: 2467


Tweet