.jpg)
KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Cricket superstar Chris Gayle has thanked Prime Minister of Jamaica Portia Simpson-Miller for her role in his reinstatement on the regional team. Gayle was banned from the West Indies side for more than a year due to a dispute between himself and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).
The West Indies opening batsman, who returned to Jamaica on Wednesday after the ICC Twenty20 tournament, commended Prime Minister Simpson-Miller for successfully lobbying the board on his behalf.
“To have been out of West Indies cricket for a year and a half was devastating for me, but that is life and we have to deal with it, and then eventually it paid off,.” Gayle told a press conference at the Norman Manley International Airport, Wednesday.
“Thanks to our own Prime Minister Portia Simpson (Miller), who actually delivered on what she planned for, of having me back in the team.”
Gayle’s dispute with the WICB stemmed from public criticism levelled against head coach Ottis Gibson and captain Darren Sammy.
However he said he was happy to be back on the team contributing in all areas of the sport.
“I am a true professional, so I keep it real and what I was there to do I did it. It was business, just one aim, one objective, which we accomplished,” said the bi-hitting Gayle.
“Whatever input I could share off the field or on the field, which I did, they put into good use and at the end of the day it worked and everybody came home really happy and proud.”
Gayle emerged from the tournament as the second leading run-scorer and leading his side to their first hold on the title.
He made 219 runs at an average of 54.75 with a strike rate of 165.90.
“It is good to be back home; we enjoyed each and every moment of this T20 tournament and we are happy to be champions for the first time,” said Gayle, ranked second on the ICC T20 batting list behind New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum.
“Hopefully, this is the start of many good things to come for West Indies cricket. We are very happy to be champions and, hopefully, this is the start of a new beginning for West Indies cricket.”
The West Indies opening batsman, who returned to Jamaica on Wednesday after the ICC Twenty20 tournament, commended Prime Minister Simpson-Miller for successfully lobbying the board on his behalf.
“To have been out of West Indies cricket for a year and a half was devastating for me, but that is life and we have to deal with it, and then eventually it paid off,.” Gayle told a press conference at the Norman Manley International Airport, Wednesday.
“Thanks to our own Prime Minister Portia Simpson (Miller), who actually delivered on what she planned for, of having me back in the team.”
Gayle’s dispute with the WICB stemmed from public criticism levelled against head coach Ottis Gibson and captain Darren Sammy.
However he said he was happy to be back on the team contributing in all areas of the sport.
“I am a true professional, so I keep it real and what I was there to do I did it. It was business, just one aim, one objective, which we accomplished,” said the bi-hitting Gayle.
“Whatever input I could share off the field or on the field, which I did, they put into good use and at the end of the day it worked and everybody came home really happy and proud.”
Gayle emerged from the tournament as the second leading run-scorer and leading his side to their first hold on the title.
He made 219 runs at an average of 54.75 with a strike rate of 165.90.
“It is good to be back home; we enjoyed each and every moment of this T20 tournament and we are happy to be champions for the first time,” said Gayle, ranked second on the ICC T20 batting list behind New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum.
“Hopefully, this is the start of many good things to come for West Indies cricket. We are very happy to be champions and, hopefully, this is the start of a new beginning for West Indies cricket.”
