Anthony Foster, Freelance Reporter

Jamaica's skipper Christopher Gayle (right) and teammate Marlon Samuels stand next to each other at the Norman Manley International Airport, Kingston, upon the return of the national senior cricket team from Antigua yesterday afternoon. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

COOLIDGE, Antigua:

Jamaica's senior cricket captain Christopher Gayle has defended the decision for him not to open the innings against Trinidad and Tobago in Sunday night's final of the Stanford 20/20 cricket tournament, at the Stanford Cricket Ground in Antigua.

The big West Indies left hander, one of the most destructive openers in any form of the game, after being removed from the opening position, was initially slated to bat at number four then dropped back to number five, a decision he said was made during a team meeting as they strategised for the final.

"Findlay and Marshall - from the build-up - they were the two batters in form, with Danza Hyatt, so it was a strategy we came up with the management team and some of the players," Gayle noted.

"I was struggling at the top and basically we needed a start because we haven't got that right throughout the tournament, apart from the first game," explained Gayle in reference to when Findlay and Marshall put on 33 in an earlier clash.

HORRIBLE DISPLAY

In a horrible batting display, Jamaica lost its first wicket without a run on the board when Shawn Findlay was dismissed.

Marlon Samuels (26) and Xavier Marshall (20) put on 42 for the second wicket, but Jamaica slipped into deeper trouble when both players, along with Gayle (6) and in-form Hyatt (6), departed with the scoreboard reading 63 for five. They were eventually blown away for 91 in 16.4 overs.

Trinidad & Tobago made light work of the miniscule target by racing to 94 for one in 9.2 overs with W. Perkins leading the way with an unbeaten 50 off 33 deliveries, and Lendl Simmons contributing 26 not out.

Victorious Trinidad and Tobago's captain Daren Ganga said the decision to relegate Chris Gayle from the top of the batting order lifted their confidence and actually worked to their advantage in winning the second Stanford 20/20 cricket tournament with US$1m prize money.

Ganga, arguably one of the best regional captains, described the decision of Gayle to bat at number five as "... a confidence booster for us (Trinidad and Tobago). I think psychologically we held the advantage there."

Ganga noted further of the moment when he saw Shawn Findlay and Xavier Marshall walk out to the middle to open the batting.

"We knew with Chris Gayle not opening in his usual position there was something definitely wrong there. Jamaica were lacking a little bit of confidence, they were lacking definitely about their strategies, coming into this game ... and that really and truly gave us the impetus to get early wickets and to put them under pressure."

Ganga added: "Chris Gayle in the middle overs to spinners, it was always going to be a difficult predicament, especially when he is not in good form.

"So, we backed ourselves because it was a sigh of relief when I saw Chris wasn't coming out to open the batting ... so that was something that gave us extra confidence from the start.

Gayle, however, does not believe the Trinidadians got a lift from his batting shift, but agreed it was a decision that backfired.

"They can say whatever now because they won the game," he said. "They didn't get any boost, I can tell you that.

"They got a shocker. It's just that the opening position did not come off today (Sunday).

"At the back of their minds, they knew that I am in there so any card can play, regardless if we got off to a flyer, but it did not happen."

Trinidad and Tobago's captain Daren Ganga (centre) holds the Stanford 20/20 Trophy aloft among teammates as they celebrate their finals win on Sunday night over Jamaica, after being presented by the man behind the tournament, Allen Stanford (right), at the Stanford Cricket Ground in Antigua. - Photo by Anthony Foster

Bowling: Powell 3-0-33-0, Taylor 2-0-19-1, Miller 3-0-23-0, Samuels 1.2-0-18-0.

Result: Trinidad & Tobago won by nine wickets.

Series: Trinidad & Tobago win the Stanford Twenty20 Cup.

Toss: Trinidad & Tobago.

Umpires: B. Doctrove, G. Greaves, TV Replays: C. Mack. Match Referee: A. Richards Sr.

Play-of-the-Match: Dwayne Bravo (Trinidad & Tobago).

Man-of-the-Match: Dave Mohammed (Trinidad & Tobago).