Chris Gayle is in doubt for the crucial clash against the UAE on Sunday in Napier due to a back injury. The veteran opener did not train with the rest of the squad at Napier’s McLean Park on Wednesday, remaining at the team hotel to rest. West Indies have just four points from five games after two wins and three defeats and need to beat the UAE handsomely to boost their run rate if they are to have any hope of squeezing into the quarter-finals.
Gayle in doubt for clash against UAE:
Gayle, 35, blasted a World Cup record 215 in the win over Zimbabwe but his form in other games has been patchy with 36 against Ireland, four in the game with Pakistan, just three in the loss to South Africa and 21 facing India.
West Indies coach Stuart Williams did not give too many details but hinted that he might not be risked for the game. “We’d love him to play all the games (but) we’ll just have to manage him better,” he said. “Our destiny is in our own hands and on Sunday we’ll know exactly what we’ll have to do to qualify,” added Williams.
Barring one huge knock, Gayle has had an average tournament. He has made scores of 36,4,3 and 21 but he still has an average of 55.85 in the tournament due to the knock of 215 against Zimbabwe in Canberra.
The game against UAE is a must-win for the West Indies. They are currently in fifth position with just four points and they must beat the UAE in order to have any chance of qualifying for the quarter-final. Ireland and Pakistan, both on six points — two ahead of the West Indies — clash in Adelaide on the same day.