England seek Gayle’s weakness

LIAM Plunkett has urged England to exploit Chris Gayle’s poor running between the wickets as they look for a way – any way – of keeping him quiet during the one-day series.

Gayle was run out for 40 from just 21 balls as West Indies won the one-off Twenty20 match at Chester-le-Street on Saturday, having hesitated over, then jogged, an attempted single to Jason Roy at backward point.

But the four sixes he had already hit during an explosive opening partnership of 77 with Evin Lewis were a reminder that, even at 37, Gayle stands between England and victory when the five-match 50-over series gets under way at Old Trafford today.

“I’m glad he got run out,” said Plunkett, who applied the finishing touches to Roy’s throw before picking up three wickets of his own.

“He doesn’t run that well between the wickets, so maybe we can stop the singles and make him hit boundaries.

“He’s obviously a good player, and he hits the ball out of the park whenever he wants. He nicked off first ball for four and he just went from there – off he popped. We need to look at more footage: how we can get him out? What’s the best way to stop him scoring?”

Plunkett’s insights will be worth a listen after his three-for confirmed his status as one of England’s most reliable white-ball seamers. Plunkett needs only eight more wickets to become the world’s leading wicket-taker in 50-over internationals in 2017.

“It would be a milestone for sure, but I don’t really look at stats,” he said. “I just try to smash the pitch, with the odd bouncer. If people are hitting me from there, then fair enough. I enjoy that role of getting my groupings together, cramping the batsman up.” – Daily Mail