Gayle vows to give pal Pietersen nothing

Chris Gayle is convinced he and his West Indies team-mates can beat England in their £20million match on 1 November and send them home empty-handed.

Gayle, captain of the Stanford Superstars for Saturday week's Twenty20 game in Antigua, is under no illusions about who will start as favourites.

But the West Indies batsman points out that England were underdogs going into their recent one-day series against South Africa only to emerge 4-0 victors.

"The England team are strong favourites," said Gayle, who was speaking to promote Sky Sports' live coverage of the Stanford Super Series.

"They are well balanced and very talented and it will not be easy.

"But there is no comfort zone in Twenty20 and anything can happen, regardless of who are favourites. One delivery can change the game."

Gayle and England captain Kevin Pietersen have become close enough friends to ring each other regularly. And the West Indian recalled a conversation before the South Africa series when Pietersen pointed out his team were starting as underdogs.

"But England won 4-0 and, yes, we can do it as well," said Gayle. The guys are talented enough to go out there and get the job done."

The Stanford squad have the advantage of having been together for a month, training and playing practice matches, while Pietersen's team will be getting together again this weekend after a lengthy break.

"Our preparation has been going well so we are just waiting on the big day," said Gayle.