Thursday 13 March 2014 13:38, UK
England limited-overs coach Ashley Giles insists his top order have the firepower to compete at the upcoming ICC World Twenty20.
The 2010 champions will head into this year’s tournament on the back of a series defeat by West Indies, who head into the final contest of the three-match 20-over tilt in the Caribbean with an unassailable 2-0 lead.
England have so far failed to make full use of the Powerplay against the Windies, with Alex Hales’ knock of 40 in the second match in Bridgetown the only notable contribution from the top-order batsmen.
Giles admits that England do not have anyone who can match the spectacular hitting of West Indies star Chris Gayle at the top of the innings, but believes he does have players capable of scoring quickly in the first six overs.
“We haven’t got a Chris Gayle but we’ve got guys who can strike the ball cleanly,” the former spinner told Sky Sports.
“Hales and (Michael) Lumb both strike the ball really cleanly, (Luke) Wright has in the past. We tried Moeen Ali there who is more of a finesse type player but has had success for Worcester batting at the top of the order.
“Chris Gayle is probably a one-off, I guess that’s who guys are generally (compared) to at the top of the order.
“Gayle scored 36 off 30 balls (in the second T20I), we have players of doing that sort of thing but there might be more than one way to skin a cat.”
