World Twenty20 Final: England v West Indies - Bowlers should have nothing to fear from Chris Gayle, says Paul Farbrace

West Indies Chris Gayle raises his bat after scoring hundred runs against England during the group phase. Picture: AP /Rafiq Maqbool

Gayle smashed 11 sixes when the World Twenty20 finalists met in the Super 10 phase, winning the game for his side in the process.

He has made just nine in two innings since but with a batsman-friendly surface expected at Eden Gardens, he will be looking to make a big impression.

England assistant coach Paul Farbrace does not expect the English attack to take a backward step this time, having gained confidence throughout the tournament.

“Gayle may or may not play a similar innings again, but what we do know is that we now have enough bowlers with enough confidence to back their skills,” said former Yorkshire 2nd XI coach Farbrace,

“They won’t think ‘oh he’s hit me for a couple of boundaries and now I have to do something different’. You don’t run in half hearted or doubting your abilities.

“I’d be very surprised if any bowler is doubting themselves now. They’ve learnt quickly and they are sticking to what works.

“It may have been first game nerves, it may have been because when someone like Chris Gayle just got going that little bit of inexperience in our side made a difference.

“I think the bowlers have learnt incredibly quickly and done it really well.”