IT has been a long time on the road with 12 matches of varying types over the last three months at nine different venues.
According to West Indies captain Chris Gayle, it is time for some rest for the players prior to another imminent, protracted sequence of international cricket in the Caribbean and England.

But only those with certain places in the team can afford to take it – and they are in the minority.
Gayle himself and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the two in international cricket appreciably longer than any of the others, carried the batting in the three ODIs against Pakistan in November and on the tour of New Zealand that ended here on Tuesday.

It can be taken as read that they won’t be going straight back into the current first-class season in the Caribbean but would be waiting instead for the first Test against England at Sabina Park, starting February 4.

Spearheads of the fast attack, Jerome Taylor, who is carrying a strained calf muscle that kept him out of the last two matches here, and Fidel Edwards are two others who need time off.

“I’d advise players to get a break and sort themselves out to be ready for the first Test in Jamaica,” Gayle said here after the West Indies’ Duckworth/Lewis defeat in the fifth and final ODI on Tuesday that secured the series 2-1 for New Zealand.

“We definitely need a rest,” he added. “When you check the itinerary there is a lot of cricket coming up.”
But Gayle acknowledged that those who failed to take their chance in New Zealand should rejoin their territorial teams and that even he and the others guaranteed their Test places might have a match prior to the England series.

“Obviously some of the players are eager to play to get some runs and wickets,” he said. “As professionals, you also know when to get in some work and keep your body active.”

The team flew out of Auckland for their scattered homes today. Those who “are eager to play” for their territories will be hard pressed to make it back for the next round of matches, starting on Friday.

The third round is January 23-26. The fourth from January 30 to February 2 coincides with the West Indies ‘A’ team match against England at Warner Park in St.Kitts that is likely to contain players vying for Test selection.

“We have a long, long journey ahead of us,” was how Gayle saw the forthcoming international programme.
The West Indies have four Tests, one 20/20 international and five ODIs against England in the Caribbean between February 4 and April 3. They then go straight back to England from late April to the end of May for two Tests and three ODIs, followed by the second ICC World 20/20 Championship, also in England, in June.

When that is over, there are two Tests and three ODIs against Bangladesh and four ODIs against India at home.
The merry-go-round doesn’t end until mid-July by which time everyone would need a rest.