DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, CMC – Despite boasting two of the most sought after players in world Twenty20 cricket, there was not one West Indian in the top 10 of the inaugural ICC Twenty20 International rankings released on Monday.
Gayle, one of the leading figures in T20s, was the highest ranked batsman at 14th while Kieron Pollard, another highly valued player, was rated 80th.
Neither player, however, has featured for West Indies in T20Is in recent times as they have been ineligible to represent the regional side by virtue of their absence from the Caribbean T20 Championship.
Pollard has not played in over a year but when he did in the past, his performances were modest with a highest score of 38 from 17 innings.
Gayle, too, has not played for the Windies in nearly a year-and-a-half but has been good enough to score a hundred and five half-centuries in 20 previous innings.
The Jamaican, who bowls off-spin, was fifth in the all-rounders rankings.
West Indies captain Darren Sammy was the highest ranked Caribbean bowler after being penciled in at eighth.
England’s Eoin Morgan tops the batting rankings, Sri Lanka’s Ajantha Mendis leads the bowlers rankings while Australian Shane Watson is the number one all-rounder.
