Chris Gayle’s return to the West Indies squad is likely to be delayed after fresh doubts emerged over his availability for the one day international leg of the upcoming England tour, negating the hard-earned resolution reached between him and the West Indies Cricket Board by CARICOM (the Caribbean Community).
Three weeks ago Gayle sent a request to Ernest Hilaire, the board chief executive, asking the board if he would be selected for the ODI leg of the England tour in June. This was to help him clarify his availability for Somerset, with whom he had signed as an overseas player for the summer.
Hilaire has accused Gayle of reneging on his promise in the presence of St Vincent Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves that he would make himself available to play for West Indies over Somerset.
The 32-year-old Jamaican, who last played for West Indies in the 2011 World Cup, told Hilaire that having signed a contract with Somerset, the county wanted him available for the entire duration of the contract, which clashed with West Indies’ tour of England. Somerset have five Friends Life T20 games scheduled during the time West Indies play three ODIs and a T20I against England.
According to Hilaire, Gayle had sent a “side letter” to Gonsalves on 23 March, stating that he would “forego” his Somerset contract to make himself available to play for West Indies. The onus now seems to be on Gayle to decide where his obligations lie.
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