'Comeback kid' Faulkner set to 'irritate' Windies in World T20 clash

Australia's 'comeback kid' James Faulkner has admitted that he does not like the West Indies team and said that he will do everything possible to get under their skins during Australia's World Twenty20 campaign at Bangladesh.

The potential sledging barrage from the all-rounder, who is set to play his comeback game from knee surgery, will add extra spice to what is almost certainly a knockout game for Australia given that last year Faulkner was fined 10 per cent of his match fee at a one-day match in Canberra after giving Chris Gayle a strong verbal send-off after dismissing him.

According to News.com.au, Faulkner said that he does not 'particularly' like the West Indian team and will therefore, do everything possible to irritate them and get under their skin to make them lose their focus during their clash with Australia on Friday at Dhaka.

Defending his tactic, Faulkner said that such things are 'mind games' and a fact of cricket, adding that doing something to upset one's opponents goes a long way towards doing well as a group.

Faulkner also said that there are some players that he would like to 'knock over', adding that he would not exchanging pleasantries with Gayle if he is playing on Friday although he would be polite off the pitch.

Faulkner has impressed everyone in Australian cricket with his almost 24-7 rehab regime since having knee surgery following the summer's final one-day against England and he virtually swore off alcohol to give his knee the best chance of a quick recovery, the report added.