WIPA rushes to Gayle's defence vs Board

BY SANJAY MYERS Observer staff reporter

Sunday, April 24, 2011

THE West Indies Players Association (WIPA) has thrown its weight behind batsman Chris Gayle after the former regional team captain, in a recent interview aired on KLAS FM 89 radio, accused the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) of mistreatment.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston last Thursday, WIPA president Dinanath Ramnarine said Gayle's trenchant comments were intended to clarify "misleading accusations" made by the WICB.

"...It's stated that one of the reasons for giving the interview yesterday (Wednesday)... is that he (Gayle) had reached the point of frustration and needed to clear the air and respond to the serious and misleading accusations.

"The WICB continues to publicly criticise Chris... and other senior players, throughout different media releases and on their official social networking sites, in the most vicious way," he said.

The uneasy relation between the WICB and Gayle, who declined a central retainer contract last year, has worsened since the Jamaican left-hander was omitted from the one-off Twenty20 (T20) and first two One-Day International (ODI) squads for the home series against Pakistan.

After his omission, Gayle requested and was granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Board to join the Indian Premier League (IPL) outfit, Royal Challengers Bangalore as a replacement for Dirk Nannes.

Ramnarine explained that the 31-year-old took up the offer after the WICB had failed to effectively communicate with the player regarding consideration for the Pakistan series.

"He has no contract and was not considered for T20 or the first two One- Day Internationals and no reason was given. Chris has been in contact with WIPA and Chris called me and informed me that he had been offered a contract to play in the IPL. He sent a letter to the West Indies Cricket Board requesting the No Objection Certificate," he said.

Despite granting the NOC, the Board expressed disappointment with Gayle, whom it said ruled himself out of contention for West Indies selection, due to the scheduling clash between the Pakistan leg of the Digicel Series and the IPL.

The WICB contended that Gayle was in the midst of a rehabilitation programme due to an abdominal injury sustained at the recent ICC World Cup and as a result was sidelined for the early matches in the series.

"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. The WICB is most disappointed in the manner in which Gayle has handled the entire situation," a statement from the WICB read.

The WICB insisted Gayle would have been considered for selection for the remainder of the Pakistan series, once passed fit.

Ramnarine countered that a fitness programme was sent to Gayle by the WICB only after he had requested the NOC and added that it was one aimed at a different injury than the one the Jamaican was reported to have had.

"The Board sent a fitness programme to Gayle after the NOC (request), and the fitness programme that they sent... was a groin (injury) programme," he said.

In the radio interview, Gayle claimed that his "ultimate goal" has always been to play for the West Indies but that he was forced into the IPL offer by the WICB.

"I wanted to play and represent West Indies. This was my ultimate goal... but I was forced into this decision because teams were picked, (and) I was not informed about what was happening," Gayle said. "I have served West Indies for many years, but I was disrespected a lot..."

Another statement circulated by WIPA on Thursday afternoon, reportedly on behalf of Gayle read: "I was dropped from the West Indies team with no communication whatsoever, with no hope of being able to play cricket again for West Indies.

"I found out I was dropped from the team through the media and was then told by the WICB that the only way they would release me to go and play cricket in the IPL was to make myself ineligible for the Pakistan tour. I was forced into that position," the statement read.

Aside from Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul were also overlooked for the early matches in the series.

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WIPA rushes to Gayle's defence vs Board