Gayle backing Windies to do well

West Indies opener Chris Gayle believes the upcoming World Cup will be a wide open one and the regional team could have as good a chance as any to lift the title.

The 39-year-old star batsman believes that the hosts England will start as favourites when the tournament bowls off next month, but with other teams known to extract good performances from conditions in England, Gayle believes the tournament will be competitive.

“Almost every team has a chance to actually win the World Cup. Everybody puts England as favourites and they are at home. They have a star-studded team as well, a well-balanced all-around team as well, so you have to give them credit,” Gayle told India Today.

“India always play well in England, Pakistan always play well in England so you have to look at those teams that always do well in those kinds of conditions.  Australia, you can’t write them off, they’re always up there and you can’t write off New Zealand either.  Everybody really and truly has a chance but there is going to be one winner, the West Indies and that goes without saying,” he added.

The big left-hander was confirmed as one of 15 members for the Windies World Cup squad, where he will make a fifth appearance at the tournament. (SportsMax)