Gayle dismisses Hauritz's spin qualities

Chris Gayle has added to Nathan Hauritz's worries before the Perth Test by saying the offspinner doesn't turn the ball much and is "like I'm facing up to myself". Hauritz will line up in just his third first-class game at the WACA in Wednesday's series-deciding encounter.

Gayle, the West Indies captain, wasn't concerned about the inclusion of Hauritz on a wicket that has taken more turn since it lost its pace over the past few years. "I hear the Aussies look like they are going to play Nathan Hauritz here in Perth," Gayle said in the Herald Sun. "At the moment when Hauritz is bowling to me, it's like I'm bowling to myself. He really doesn't turn the ball too much that is for sure. Occasionally he might get the odd one to spin."

Hauritz knows how hard it can be in Perth and hopes to gain some drift from the afternoon sea breeze. "It can be pretty tough, it can be pretty brutal out there at times," he said in the Australian.

He will speak to Marcus North, the Western Australia captain, about bowling at the WACA and has also chatted to Greg Matthews, the former Test spinner, about various strategies. In two games at the ground for Queensland he managed 2 for 216 but felt he had fared better in one-day matches.

"Four-day cricket hasn't been real good, I think I have hardly taken a wicket here when I have played," he said. "I haven't played here much. I played two games here for Queensland and haven't played a game here for New South Wales. One-day cricket is always really good, the bounce, the drift and that sort of thing has been really good."