Gayle return delights Gibson

Chris Gayle makes his team-mates feel "as if they are on cloud nine", according to new West Indies coach Ottis Gibson

New West Indies coach Ottis Gibson is hoping the return of captain Chris Gayle will inspire them to victory in the one-day series against Zimbabwe.

Gayle has rejoined the squad after taking compassionate leave to visit his ill mother in Jamaica, and will lead the team out when the first of five ODIs takes place at the Guyana National Stadium tomorrow.

“He is an inspiration to the guys,” said former England bowling coach Gibson, who lost his first match in charge on Sunday. “He gives them a lift as if they are on cloud nine.

“The guys understand how they need to play in certain situations, and what we have practised. I must say, judging from how they look, I am impressed with the way things have been going so far in preparation for the game.”

Batsman Narsingh Deonarine and left-arm spinner Nikita Miller, both of whom were part of the recent 4-0 ODI series defeat in Australia but sat out Sunday’s Twenty20 defeat by Zimbabwe, also feature in the 14-man squad.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sulieman Benn and Adrian Barath have been included after missing the one-day leg of the tour Down Under, but Ramnaresh Sarwan (back) and Dwayne Bravo (thumb) remain sidelined - for the opening encounter at least.

The tourists won an extraordinary Twenty20 clash at Port of Spain by 26 runs two days ago as the Windies, chasing just 106, were limited to 79 for seven.

Gibson knows the passionate West Indies supporters will be expecting a marked improvement in the ODI series.

“We do feel disappointed that we lost the game," he said. [Zimbabwe] exploited the conditions in the pitch more than we, and now our fans expect us to go hard at them.”

Zimbabwe captain Prosper Utseya said: “We are trying not to be over-confident going into the game.

“We know West Indies are a good team, but once we settle down and play good cricket, we know we can be tough for any opposition on any given day.”