Gayle wants to concentrate on batting

Jaipur, Oct 31 (UNI) West Indies opener Chris Gayle thinks he is a batsman who can bowl a bit and says he wants to concentrate more on his batting than worrying about taking wickets.

''I will continue to concentrate on my batting though I contribute a little in bowling department also,'' Gayle said while addressing mediapersons ahead of Thursday's semi-final against South Africa in the absence of injured captain Brian Lara.

''I am not paying any attention to bowling as I concentrate on my batting. I am basicaly a batsman,'' he said.

The Carribean swashbuckling batsman said the team has been doing pretty good in the Champions trophy though the West Indies see the defeat at the hands of England in the last game as a major set back.

''Though I made a century in the last game against England, my team was defeated. It was a set back for us,'' he said.

Gayle said his side has been doing quite well in one-day game for the last couple of years and they were geared up for Thursday's match as South Africa are a formidable side.

Asked about the availability of injured captain Brian Lara, he said, ''I don't know.'' But, West Indian team manager said whether Lara would be in the playing eleven against South Africa would be announced tomorrow by the captain himself.

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