Chris Gayle Eager to uplift West Indies Cricket – Cricket New Update
After a frustrating time away from international cricket, Windies’ explosive batsman Chris Gayle is back playing for the national team, patching up his differences with the cricket board, and eager to make up for lost time as he takes the field in the opening game of the ODI series against England.
"Everything has been rectified," Gayle said. "The main objective is to contribute to West Indies cricket and uplift it. I'm available for all formats of the game. Hopefully I can get some runs in whites and in colored clothes."
Gayle had been banned after a hostile outburst at the West Indian Cricket board last year where he criticized Ottis Gibson, the current Head Coach, terming him a user. Despite not featuring for the national team, he plied his trade in various T20 Leagues around the globe and emerged as a T20 giant.
He was also the highest run-getter in the Indian Premier League this year but had his sights set on making a return to the international arena, rendering his services by foregoing a pre-contractual obligation with English county Somerset. Somerset initially, were to legally sue the left- hander but then decided not to.
He made his first appearance in the warm up game against Middlesex where he scored a brisk 34-run cameo. Despite failing to make a big score, his presence clearly lifted the team, which then went onto claim the match by a whopping 228-run margin. "It is good to be back in my No. 45 jersey I represented West Indies in once. I started out a bit nervous, I am human, but things came along well after that. Unfortunately I got out. I am looking forward to the first ODI and should be in a better state of mind,” he said.
Darren Sammy, the captain of the team, was pleased to see the inclusion of the talented left- hander, stating, “I think we have a very exciting One-Day team with the inclusion of Chris Gayle."
The first game between the two sides will take place at Southampton. England have already won the Test series by a 2-0 margin.