West Indies Cricket Board disappointed by Chris Gayle’s decision to play Indian Premier League
The West Indies Cricket Board has slammed Chris Gayle for choosing to play the Indian Premier League instead of fulfilling national duties in the upcoming home series against Pakistan.
The Board revealed that the hard-hitting opening batsman was granted a no objection certificate only after he flew to the Subcontinent making himself unavailable for national selection.
“The WICB does not accept Gayle's reason for making himself unavailable but as he has already clearly made his choice and has travelled to India, the WICB does not wish to stand in his way,” read a WICB statement.
The 31-year-old Jamaica opener joined the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad for the 2011 season on Wednesday as a replacement for injured Dirk Nannes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746.
The season four of the lucrative League which is underway in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 clashes directly with Pakistan’s tour of the Caribbean. The tourists are scheduled to play one Twenty20 international, a five-match One Day International series and
two Test matches against the hosts.
Recently, Gayle turned down WICB’s central contract as he wanted to play in the cash rich League but ironically he was not bought by any franchise in the January 2011 auction. The franchises feared he might not be available for the
tournament due to national commitments.
Having joined the Bangalore based IPL franchise, it is now confirmed that Gayle will take no part in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755.
The Board revealed that the belligerent Jamaican batsman was going through a rehab programme for a side strain he had picked during the recently concluded ICC World Cup 2011 which made his selection for the ODI series difficult.
The West Indies Cricket Board emphasised that the former skipper would have been considered for selection for the remainder of the home series against Pakistan had he passed the fitness test.
Let’s see if Gayle is able to impress in the IPL after an average show in the recently concluded ICC World Cup 2011.
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