BRIDGETOWN, Barbados CMC – West Indies cricket officials could meet with talismanic opener Chris Gayle as early as next week, in an attempt to resolve lingering tensions that have led to the player’s non-selection for the current one-day series against India. CMC Sports understands that the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) recently wrote to Gayle requesting a meeting and received a positive response from the former captain.
Arrangements are now being made to convene a meeting in Jamaica where all parties are expected to thrash out controversial issues arising from recent comments made by Gayle during an interview broadcast live on Jamaican radio in April.
Then, Gayle berated the WICB for their indifferent attitude to his recovery from injury following the World Cup and his subsequent non-selection for the Pakistan series. He claimed he had been forced to pay all of his medical bills after seeking treatment for his injury in England, and accused the WICB of showing no interest in his fitness status.
Gayle also made other comments concerning captain Darren Sammy and coach Ottis Gibson, which were of concern to the WICB.
In announcing the squad for the first two one-dayers against India, the Board said it was necessary to meet with Gayle to discuss the tirade before he could be considered for selection, which now means that Gayle is unlikely to play any role in the ODI series which ends June 16 in Jamaica.