Jamaica (West Indies), Jan. 31 : West Indies skipper Chris Gayle is generally regarded as cricket's coolest dude, but is a seriously dangerous customer on the field.

Gayle, 29, puts his success down to having in-depth conversations with himself.

As he prepares to lead the West Indies in the First Test here next Wednesday, he explained: "I'm not crazy but I talk to myself. And sometimes I answer back! It's my way of working on the mental side. I analyse opposition bowling and what attack I'll be up against. I'll certainly be doing that for the series against England. Once I'm ready mentally, trust me, I guarantee that I'll get some runs."

"Playing against England on my home ground might bring more pressure but I just try to get the job done."

The self-talking technique has certainly worked in recent months. Gayle hit 26 sixes and 63 fours in 10 innings in all cricket on the recent tour of New Zealand, averaging 73.1.

The tall left-hander has more than 5,000 Test runs and 7,000 one-day runs.

And he has bucks to add to his runs after skippering the Stanford Superstars to their incredible million- a-man victory over England in Antigua last October.

While England's players felt embarrassed about the chance of raking in so much cash, Gayle had a simple answer when asked what he will do with the windfall: "Spend it, man."

Stories about his interest in the opposite sex abound.

Once, when the Windies were playing at Arundel Castle, Gayle found himself at lunch sitting with John Barclay.

That is John Robert Troutbeck Barclay, Old Etonian, former Sussex captain and one of cricket's posh elite.

Barclay was recalling his days as England manager and how much he loved touring. Gayle asked him: "Did you get much p***y?" (ANI)