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Journalism of Courage
West Indies pushed England closer than anyone expected in the first test,but another injury and the looming presence of Chris Gayle means they face a difficult task to keep the series alive when the second Test starts at Trent Bridge on Friday. Paceman Shannon Gabriel,who made a promising debut in the first Test,has pulled out of the tour due to back spasms and while his nominated replacement is Tino Best,the vacant berth in the starting eleven may revert back to Ravi Rampaul,who was injured.
Another selection dilemma is whether to recall former captain Chris Gayle,whose IPL commitments are over. Gayle has a tempestuous relationship with West Indies officials,and neither players nor management are being drawn on whether he will return to the Test team. The tourists confounded expectations by taking the first Test to a fifth day,with local organisers not even printing tickets for the final day.
When his name was mentioned during a press conference at Lords the teams media manager snapped: Were not asking questions about Chris Gayle. And even genial captain Darren Sammy was struggling to hide his exasperation when pressed on the point on Monday.
Its not up to me,its up to the selectors what happens. Hes a very experienced player and weve been having some difficulties at the top of the order. If he comes in we will welcome him but the last I heard he is available only for the T20s and ODIs.
