West Indies captain Chris Gayle insists he retains great respect for his opposite number Andrew Strauss, despite their contrasting allegiances to Twenty20 and Test cricket.

On the eve of the second npower Test at Chester-le-Street, Gayle also qualified his controversial hint he may be on the verge of resigning the West Indies captaincy.

Gayle said: “Test cricket is always going to be there. But for me as an individual, I don’t see me playing Test cricket for any very long period of time.

“Twenty20 has come on board, and it’s made a huge impact in the world. It’s brilliant, and games have been sold out. It’s taken the place by storm.

“Test cricket, I look at it different. I don’t see it as long term for me. That’s my gut feeling.

“I don’t keep malice with anybody; I’m not into those sort of games.”