Embattled West Indies opening batsman Chris Gayle has called on the CARICOM heads of government to intervene in the impasse between himself and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) over his continued exclusion from the regional team.
In an emotional statement, the Jamaican left-hander said that the stand off had been “painful and more injurious to my spirit” and while he remained committed to West Indies cricket, he felt as if he was being strung along by the WICB with no resolution to the situation in sight.
Gayle has been overlooked for selection since his return from the Indian Premier League, with the WICB stipulating that he had to meet with them before being considered for selection.
The meeting took place last month in Jamaica but according to the WICB, it ended in uncertainty.
Gayle said since the failed meeting, he had made attempts to also further resolve the standoff by writing to WICB chief executive officer Dr. Ernest Hilaire and then meeting again with head coach Ottis Gibson and team manager Richie Richardson, but o no avail.
“I took the board seriously and went to the meeting, which was held in Jamaica a few weeks ago,” Gayle said.
“The meeting ended without any commitment with regard to my future selection for the West Indies team again. I thought that was the purpose of the meeting and was foolish enough to believe that it would end with a decision about when I would be back on the team,” Gayle said.
He said the situation warranted the intervention of regional heads of government.
“I appeal to the heads of government of CARICOM to do something about this situation, West Indies cricket is different from the West Indies Cricket Board,” he added.
“West Indies cricket and West Indies cricketers need help. Since you are the people who represented the fans and all the other stakeholders, it is a time for you to act,” Gayle said.
