GAYLE

HARARE, Zimbabwe (CMC):

WEST INDIES captain Chris Gayle said yesterday that he and his players would not be taking Zimbabwe lightly when they play a five-match one-day international series in the coming two weeks.

Speaking ahead of the first match at the Harare Sports Club, today, Gayle indicated that he and his players have a lot of respect for their opponents and he expects a keenly contested series.

"I expect Zimbabwe to compete and I expect a strong challenge," he said. "They are at home, and will be looking to give us a good fight.

"They certainly won't roll over and play dead that's for sure. On the other side, we have to prove our strength and show that we can overcome them. We start on Friday, and we will be looking to move on."

The West Indies players had their first training session yesterday morning, after the planned session on Wednesday was washed due to heavy rain.

Veteran

Zimbabwe's team includes veteran left-arm spinner Raymond Price, who has returned after three years in the wilderness.

The 31-year-old was part of Heath Streak's rebel strikers three years ago, but he was handed a recall for this series, after he returned from England three weeks ago having rejected a new contract with Worcestershire, where he spent four seasons.

He has played 26 ODIs and has collected 15 wickets at 61 runs apiece.

Meanwhile, the West Indies will join the other seven active international teams in showing their support for people living with HIV/AIDS, when they wear red ribbons in matches taking place this weekend.

The West Indies and their current opponents, Zimbabwe, as well as India and Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England, and South Africa and New Zealand, along with the players taking part in the ICC World Cricket League Division Two will wear the ribbons to raise awareness and reduce stigma about the disease.