Calcutta: Chris Gayle’s acerbic interview to KLAS Sports, a popular radio station in Jamaica, soon after the 2011 World Cup, has put him in direct confrontation with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).
For the record, the West Indies exited in the quarter final stage, losing to Pakistan. Gayle, who had fitness issues, didn’t feature in all the matches.
While the WICB is adamant that Gayle either apologises or retracts, the former captain is firm — till now, at least — on not doing either.
Because of the row, Gayle hasn’t been picked for the West Indies after the World Cup. But he continues to play in T20 leagues all over, making a nice packet for himself.
Financially, at least, Gayle is having the last laugh. Till the other day, he was turning out for the Barisal Burners in the Bangladesh Premier League.
Recently, the WICB wrote to Gayle, listing what was expected of him. A copy of that communication is with The Telegraph.
Some of the comments which the WICB wants Gayle to retract/apologise for are:
“The only communication (on the controversy) has been from my physio CJ, updating me.”
“I’m the perfect target for them. They want to get rid of me.”
“Just before the IPL auction (in January 2011), I got an email from the CEO (Ernest Hilaire) if I’m retiring from Test cricket. I found that very strange. It sounded like he wanted me to retire, so he can continue to screw me over.”
“They’re threatening players. They’re using the fitness thing to threaten players. You can make ten ducks in a row and still make the team... As long as you’re fit like a fiddle... That’s the system they have now... Fitness, fitness, fitness.”
“Every coach comes with the same format... Fitness, fitness, fitness... 24/7. Man to man, Australia team no fitter than we... You think India fitter than we? Ah, joke, coach Ottis Gibson!”
“The coach is a user. That’s what he is. He is a user.”
“You think that if I didn’t get an IPL contract... You think I would get leeway like (Kieron) Pollard and (Dwayne) Bravo? Them say they will side with those two and show up Chris Gayle.”
“Me and (Ramnaresh) Sarwan sit down and talk after the World Cup. Sarwan was messed up mentally. The coach messed up the man mentally. The players were not in the right frame of mind.”
“Sarwan was batting without a free mind... Players told me they lost confidence. No confidence at all. A player speak his mind in a team meeting openly... The player said his piece... After that, he never played a World Cup match, but me talk with my mouth and me talk with my bat.”
Indeed, yes. That we do know.
