The New Zealand cricketer Kane Williamson says his team is wary of the threat posed by the West Indies' opening batsman Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle during the West Indies loss to South Africa, 2015. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The two teams meet in the quarter-finals of the World Cup this Saturday in Wellington.
New Zealand qualified for the knockout stages on top of pool A after going undefeated in six games.
The West Indies lost three matches on their way to the fourth and final qualifying berth in pool B, slipping through ahead of Ireland on superior run-rate, despite losing to the minnows in their opening game.
Gayle missed yesterday's win over the United Arab Emirates with a back injury, but his captain Jason Holder is confident Gayle will take part in the quarter-final, even if he has to play through the pain.
Williamson says when Gayle plays well he can take down any team in the world.
West Indies batsman Chris Gayle hits a six. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
He says New Zealand, on the other hand, have a world class bowling attack, which can also win games, meaning this Saturday's quarter final is sure to be an exciting fixture.
Williamson says the danger posed by the big hitting Gayle is no secret, and while New Zealand will have to prepare accordingly it's more important for the Black Caps to focus on their own skills and what they hope to achieve in the game.
Not trying too hard, however, will be the challange according to Williamson who says his team play their best cricket when they're relaxed
Gayle hit the highest score in World Cup history against Zimbabwe in February, slogging 215 off 147 balls.
From five innings at the the 2015 tournamnet the big Jamaican is averaging 55.80.
Williamson, who's no slouch with the bat, is averaging 45.75 with a top score of 57.
Kane Williamson in action with the match-winning six against Australia at Eden Park Photo: Photosport
It's still not clear if the New Zealand bowler Adam Milne will play in the quarter-final after bruising the AC joint in his shoulder.
Milne missed the Black Caps' three wicket win over Bangladesh, which Williamson described as a scrappy victory.
He says after four pool games that New Zealand won in less than 40 overs, it was good for the Black Caps to have to chase down a big total, surpassing Bangladesh's 288 with only seven balls to spare.