Ex-Wagga star gets spot in PM's XI team

BIG-HITTING West Indies captain Chris Gayle has called on ex-Wagga cricketer Ben Oakley to bring his A-game in Thursday's Prime Ministers XI match in Canberra.Oakley will test himself against one of the world's most powerful batting attacks when he steps out for the Prime Minister's XI at Manuka Oval.The left-arm quick has taken all before him in Canberra since leaving Wagga RSL three seasons ago.Oakley has set his sights on Gayle's wicket and the West Indies captain yesterday welcomed the challenge from an aspiring quick."That's good, I like that attitude in a young fast bowler so that should be his main objective - to get wickets, that's what he has been picked for," Gayle told The Canberra Times in Canberra yesterday."It's a perfect opportunity to play against us, gain a bit of experience and boost their confidence before playing for their different territories."Gayle said matches against teams such as the Prime Minster's XI can often be dangerous for touring teams."[The unknown guys] can be very dangerous, they're up against an international team and they get the opportunity to get their name on the score sheet and get the selectors to think twice about them," Gayle said."The future of Australian cricket is looking good, I've been over here the last couple of months and there's a lot of talent here."Matthew Hayden will captain the Prime Minister's XI, which also boasts Wagga-born ACT cricketer Jordan McLennan, son of Wagga Sporting Hall of Fame member Graeme McLennan.While West Indies don't know too much about the Prime Minister's XI, Gayle has assured fans they aren't taking the match lightly."I know Matthew Hayden and Mitch Marsh ... but I don't know what team we're up against at this stage," Gayle said."This is our first game here so we have to take it very seriously, we want to win to try and gain a bit of momentum going into the first ODI game."