Gayle likely non-starter for Test series

Chris Gayle has failed to settle differences with West Indies officials, and could miss the three-Test series with India, starting next week, according to reports on Thursday.

Media reports indicate the two sides failed to reach an amicable solution at a meeting, which took place on Tuesday in the Jamaica capital.

Gayle attended the meeting accompanied by Dinanath Ramnarine, president and chief executive of the West Indies Players’ Association, and Wavell Hinds, vice-president of WIPA.

Chief Executive Officer Ernest Hilaire, Chief Cricket Operations Officer Tony Howard, West Indies coach Ottis Gibson, and West Indies team operations manager Richie Richardson represented the West Indies Board.

The meeting lasted close to four hours, with reports of high tensions, particularly between Hilaire and Ramnarine. Both sides have declined to comment officially on the outcome of the meeting, but confirmed that there were no conclusive outcomes. The players wanted the WICB to sweep Gayle’s recent controversial comments in an interview with a Jamaican radio station under the carpet - and unconditionally reinstate him to the side.

During the interview, Gayle was highly critical of the WICB, as well as Hilaire and Gibson. He also questioned whether West Indies captain Darren Sammy was the right man to lead the Caribbean side.

The WICB felt the comments were highly inappropriate, and demanded an explanation from Gayle at the meeting, but he was reticent.

No further meeting between Gayle and the regional cricket governing body is scheduled for any time soon. KINGSTON, AFP