Holder denies Gayle-force tension

Rookie West Indies captain Jason Holder insists he's not intimidated by the prospect of skippering a frustrated Chris Gayle at the upcoming Cricket World Cup.

The Windies' build-up for the showpiece event has been somewhat chaotic with Gayle lambasting the West Indies Cricket Board last month after star all-rounders Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard were left out of the squad.

The decision stemmed from the pair's role in the boycotting of a tour to India due to a contracts row - a move that could end up costing the WICB $US30 million ($A38.45 million) in compensation to the BCCI.

Gayle was due to speak with the media in Sydney on Sunday but team officials gagged the charismatic opener, who has spent the last week in Sydney mixing shoulders with the likes of Tim Cahill and singer Guy Sebastian. 

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Gayle in action against South Africa last month

However, questions about the 35-year-old dominated Holder's press conference on Sunday.

Holder has played just 26 ODIs and endured a chastening experience in leading the team in South Africa where AB de Villiers scored a century off just 31 balls as the Proteas racked up 2-439 in Johannesburg.

Without Pollard and Bravo the Windies were beaten 3-1 by the red-hot Proteas.

But he insists he has no problem with his new role and being in charge of vastly more experienced players such as Gayle, Marlon Samuels and Darren Sammy.

"Chris is a big player for any team he plays for. He's a world beater," Holder said.

"I have built a relationship with some of the senior players. Having one as a captain has not been that difficult thus far.

"I just don't think it's a huge thing, I have a good relationship with all the guys."

Gayle claimed last month Pollard and Bravo were being victimised by the selectors and said the move not to pick the pair was ridiculous.

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Holder admitted they will be missed, but backed his team to still have a strong tournament without them.

"Not having them would be a huge loss to any side but it's beyond our control and we have to accept it and move on," he said,

"They are two players who have done well in world cricket but it's out of our control.

"We have been inconsistent for a while. We just have to get it right and be more consistent on any given day and overcome most teams we come up against."