Hinds urges Gayle to attack

Chris Gayle, the West Indies opener, has been encouraged by his opening partner Wavell Hinds to bat in the aggressive manner that has fetched him seven Test centuries, including a triple hundred, as the West Indies take on Australia in the second Test beginning at Hobart on November 17.

"Chris is our number one opener of course, and he has played very aggressively throughout his career," Hinds told ABC Sports. "I think the last game he played two cricket shots that were not the best cricket shots in terms of opening batsmen. But having said that I back Chris to come out and do the job as efficiently as he can, to play his style of cricket which is to make a statement and try and get the advantage as early as possible."

Hinds, himself an attacking left-handed opener, says there is no need for Gayle to curb his aggression, but urged his team-mates to be careful of their shot selection. Hinds said the West Indies batsman played some poor shots in Brisbane and needed to improve on this.

Hinds missed the first Test in Brisbane because of a broken finger but said he was fit to be considered for selection at Bellerive Oval.