Barbados, October 30: Whether Chris Gayle will captain West Indies for their upcoming tour to Australia will only be known next week when the selectors recommend their choice to the WICB.
Daren Ganga’s name has been thrown into the mix as well after Ganga impressed in the recently concluded Champions League T20, leading the unfancied Trinidad & Tobago into the finals. However, Ernest Hilaire, the WICB chief executive, said no decision has been taken yet.
Gayle last week confirmed that he would be happy to return as captain of the West Indies.
Hilaire was tight-lipped about Gayle’s prospects following his strike-related absence, hinting at the possibility of a new captain.
“The selectors will meet over the next few days and will make a recommendation to the board,” said Hilaire. “I am also aware that the players have announced that they are available and, more importantly, want to play if selected. WICB has always expressed the view that players must be both available for selection and available to play. In this regard, I think we have made considerable progress.”
Hilaire said that all the players who went on strike were also eligible for selection.
With the President’s Cup, a limited overs tournament, currently underway and almost all players playing for their respective teams, it looks unlikely that West Indies will send an under-strength side to Australia.
“Our discussions with WIPA have been excellent and we are looking forward to building on our progress in resolving all outstanding issues by designing a new partnership,” Hilaire said. “There have been attempts in the past but we are sincere in developing that partnership based on mutual trust and co-operation. We accept that there will be differences but we must never allow our differences to destroy our relationship.”
—–Agencies