(Jamaica Observer) Chris Gayle’s recent claim that he’s awaiting a response from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) regarding his status with the regional side is unfounded, a leaked board communiqué obtained by the Observer suggests.
Gayle, the most high-profile West Indies player currently, said in a recent interview on cable television network SportsMax that he’s presently awaiting a reply from the WICB after holding “good, productive” talks on 23 August with Ernest Hilaire, the WICB’s chief executive officer.
However, in an email dated Monday, September 19, 2011 to Gayle, Hilaire said it’s the board that’s awaiting word from the former skipper.
In a previous email sent to Gayle on August 25, 2011, Hilaire referred to the route that that meeting decided on resolving the highly publicised and protracted dispute, and said: “At the meeting, I explained that the board’s difficulties with you, as a cricketer representing the West Indies, were the persistent challenges faced in communicating with you and particular actions, eg your tweets on retirement, which were not in the best interest of West Indies cricket.
“I got the assurance that every effort would be made to improve communications with the board and that you were committed to representing the West Indies within the established rules and procedures. I indicated to you that you would be required to speak with the coach to settle the bad feeling which presently exists. As it would be difficult to see how it would be productive to the team to have the coach and a senior player at odds with each other. I promised to ask the coach to call you. I also indicated that once that matter was clear, I would ask the chairman of selectors to call you to discuss the vision for team building which is guiding team selection and the role that you would be expected to play.
“I am aware that you have spoken to the coach and would appreciate that you update me on the discussion with the coach so as to be able to complete this matter and inform the board of directors and chairman of selectors.”
In the SportsMax interview, Gayle admitted speaking with Windies head coach Otis Gibson, who insisted on an apology from the player for his public criticism of the board and members of the management team earlier this year. But Gayle said he refused.
“Then he (Gibson) said basically he would actually write a report on what our conversation [was], send it to the CEO and eventually they’ll get back to me after that,” Gayle was quoted saying. “That’s the last time I had a conversation with any particular one from the board and that’s how things have played out at this point in time.”
Hilaire’s email to Gayle yesterday was copied to Alana Meford, the board’s legal advisor.
Added Hilaire: “I refer you to the email [August 25, 2011] below which I wrote to you and I am yet to receive a response. If the above statement was actually what was said by yourself, clearly it is inaccurate. I am actually waiting for a response from you.
He added: “In any event, if you had not received a note from me then surely you could have contacted me on the follow up action as we agreed. It is precisely that approach which I expressed to you had caused difficulties in the past. Rather than deal with each other directly, there has been the tendency to make public statements, including via social media, that causes more difficulties. You make a commitment that this approach would be a thing of the past.”
Gayle, who turns 32 on Wednesday, is in India preparing with the Royal Challengers Bangalore for the Champions League T20 and could not be reached for a comment.
His recent comments though could further delay his return to the West Indies set-up and according to a source close to the board, Gayle has been disingenuous.
“The CEO received a report from Gibson on the conversation and asked Gayle for an update on the conversation to be sure that they were all on the same page and for the matter to be put behind them and move on. But Gayle never responded. The onus is on him to respond but he has never done so. But he went on SportsMax and gave the impression that it was for the board to act,” claimed the source.
“Gibson told him he should apologise for the comments which he made in the KLAS interview. Gayle refused. Gibson told him if he doesn’t want to apologise for them then he should write to the WICB and withdraw the comments. He refused.
“The choice is his. The board believes that no player is bigger than the West Indies team or bigger than West Indies cricket. Gayle believes he is bigger than both the team and West Indies cricket. The board is clear that he cannot do as he feels like, speak disparagingly of anyone and everyone and then expect to walk back in the team as if he is a law unto himself.
“Gayle is saying one thing to the public but he is doing something else behind the scenes,” the source continued.
