As Chris Gayle rushes back in time for tomorrow's Brisbane Test vowing to pledge his century in the Test to his convalescing mother, former greats Brian Lara and Shane Warne have asked the West Indies to launch a ferocious front-on assault on the Australians.

With former Test players, the media and bookmakers writing off the prospects of the visitors against a resurgent home side, former West Indies captain Lara yesterday said the West Indians must meet fire with fire from the first ball at the Gabba if they hope to pull off a stunning win. The Windies have not won a Test at the ground in 21 years.

Shane Warne, a close friend of Lara, advocated a similar approach saying the West Indies must make a pact they will not be "bullied" by the Aussies, with senior batsmen Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan needing to adapt an overtly hostile attitude.

Chris Gayle