West Indian power hitter Chris Gayle wants his Sydney Thunder team-mates to share the load as he attempts to lift the struggling Big Bash franchise.
Last year's wooden spooners opened their 2012/13 campaign with a disappointing loss to local rivals Sydney Sixers last weekend and are relying on Gayle to ignite a revival.
Last summer the big-hitting left-hander proved a one-man show, carrying the Thunder with 252 runs (including a record 22 sixes) in seven innings at an average of 42.
Usman Khawaja (106 runs at 17.6) was the side's next best contributor.
"It was the first time around for a new franchise and we had a couple of new players and hopefully this time around things can be a bit different and everyone can be more relaxed and go out there and express themselves freely," Gayle said ahead of Friday's meeting with the in-form Melbourne Renegades at ANZ Stadium.
"Hopefully I can entertain the crowd a bit more and have a bit of fun out in the middle and Sydney Thunder can actually go to the final four and get into the semi-finals and eventually the final."
The Thunder have strengthened their batting depth with the inclusion of hard-hitting Tasmanian Mark Cosgrove and former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood.
It should ease the pressure and expectation on Gayle.
"That's a pretty good batting line-up. Those guys give us more experience and the batting seems a bit more intense," he said.
"We can go a bit harder at the top and try and give the team a good start and build a solid total."
Gayle, who recently became the first man to strike a six off the first ball in a Test, comes into the Big Bash struggling for touch.
He scored just 72 runs in five ODI innings as the West Indies crashed to a 3-2 series defeat at the hands of lowly Bangladesh this month and made just six in a one-off T20 clash.
He is banking on a return to form in the BBL.
"It wasn't the best series I had in Bangladesh," Gayle said.
"I am coming off a bad patch. These things do happen. It's cricket and you're going to have your ups and downs.
"You've got to rebound as quickly as possible and this is a perfect opportunity to do that.
"Hopefully things can improve here and I can kick-start something and build on it.
"When you get the opportunity to cash in you try to make the best use of it
"I am definitely due."
First Posted 12 December, 2012 6:00PM AEST
