PM Gonsalves says agreement clears way for Gayle’s return to WI

Former West Indies Cricket captain, Chris Gayle will be returning to West Indies cricket, following the resolution of a year long impasse between himself and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).{{more}}

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, in a press conference on Tuesday, made the announcement, adding that he was expecting that Gayle would be selected to play in future tours, particularly the limited over series in the current series in England which gets underway soon.

“I can’t speak for the selectors…I can’t speak for the West Indies Cricket Board either, but I am giving my judgment and conclusion, being a full participant in the process,” Gonsalves told members of the media.

“I don’t see what road blocks can be put in his way,” he continued.

Gonsalves was instrumental in the process, having brokered the agreement which Gayle signed and which follows on the mandate given to the CARICOM Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee to mediate in the ongoing dispute between Gayle and the WICB.

The prime minister, however, said that he was not supportive of anyone who would want to diminish the authority of the WICB.

“They are the juridical authority for West Indies Cricket,” he said, adding that there are ongoing issues for the WICB and that the Patterson report should be looked at as the beginning of the resolution process rather the end.

“We want to see improvements in governance, we want to see improvements in management, but for those who make the call for West Indian governments to get involved to help manage West Indies Cricket; West Indian governments are involved in so many things and there are a lot of things that we are doing that we are not doing well so why would we want to take that on?” he questioned.

The prime minister also announced that Ramnaresh Sarwan, Guyanese former West Indies Test Player and now playing in English cricket, had contacted him to indicate that he was interested in returning to West Indies Cricket and if he (Gonsalves) could communicate this to the WICB authorities.

“And I did so,” Gonsalves said.

He followed up, saying that he did not see why players like Sarwan could not return, adding that they are still young.

“Sarwan is 31, Gayle is 32; these are young men,” Gonsalves explained.

He was of the opinion that they should not be subjected to such treatment because they would have done something that the WICB did not approve.

“We all have to act with a great deal of balance in these matters and let the vanities go and let us look to put our best foot forward,” he said. (DD)