West Indian batsman Chris Gayle has revealed that the relations between Windies players and Cricket Windies have considerably improved and they have reached a point of understanding.
The 37-year-old hopes to be back in the WI squad along with teammates Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Lendl Simmons.
“Things are beginning to open up a little more now between players and the board. It”s looking good, and we”ve to try and build from this to get the best players out on the field. Hopefully, things can get better. Hopefully, I can play a few more games. I definitely want to play the 2019 World Cup,” Gayle quoted at a promotional event in Bangalore.
The WI Cricket Board had earlier came up with the policy to make ineligible for selection those players who don’t participate in regional List A tournaments. Some of the senior WI players didn’t do so because of their various T20 league commitments.
Now Cricket Windies is taking a step back and allowing them to play seeing the current miserable state of West Indies Cricket and also their direct qualification in 2019 World Cup is under the scanner.
Gayle, Pollard and Narine are popular figures in IPL, BBL and other T20 leagues across the world. They skipped the regional List A tournaments making themselves available for franchise cricket.
West Indies play their next ODI series against England starting on September 19. There is a high chance that them likes of Gayle, Pollard, Narine will be back in the squad. It is a must win series for them since losing could mean missing out on top 8 ODI rankings and relegation to play against associates.
The West Indies Cricket has seen its darkest times off late. They have won only 2 test matches since 2015. Their last ODI series win dates back to August 2014 against Bangladesh at home i.e. 3 years ago. Bringing back seniors is the only thing they could do to revive their cricket.
– by Atharva Apte
