Strauss and Gayle play down talk of friction

By Ed Osmond

CHESTER LE STREET, England (Reuters) - Rival captains Andrew Strauss and Chris Gayle played down reports of friction between them before the second test between England and West Indies starting on Thursday.

Strauss criticised his opposite number for arriving in England just two days before the first test and Gayle countered with negative comments about the England skipper's ability to play Twenty20 cricket.

"I have a very good relationship with Gayle, I've had no problems with him," Strauss told a news conference on Wednesday.

"Everyone is entitled to his opinion and to be honest he may have been right about my Twenty20 form."

Gayle, whose team were crushed by 10 wickets in the first test at Lord's, was equally keen not to exaggerate the situation.

"I respect Strauss, we are all big men and the comments are part of the game," he said. "I have never had any conflict with him."

Gayle was quoted in newspapers on Wednesday as saying that he was not planning to stay as West Indies captain for much longer and that he would not miss test cricket.

"I don't see myself playing test cricket for a long time," he said. "That's all I meant. We play a lot of cricket, there are injuries and sometimes you have to listen to your body."