Thaindian News

Bridgetown (Barbados), June 3 (IANS) After Chris Gayle, veteran West Indies batsman Shivnaraine Chanderpaul is gearing up for another showdown with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) following his comments in an interview that the board tried to force him to retire.

WICB chief executive Ernest Hilaire has written to Chanderpaul requesting an explanation of his comments which he labelled as “ill-advised and detrimental to the interests of the game”, according to Jamaica Observer.

“As a centrally contracted player, we are in the first instance concerned with your participation in such an interview of which we had no prior knowledge and for which the WICB granted no approval,” Hilaire said in a letter dated May 24.

“We further consider that your comments were ill-advised and detrimental to the interests of the game,” the letter said.

Chanderpaul’s actions were “inappropriate” for a player holding a retainer contract and the left-hander has been given 10 days to respond.

In a 20-minute interview to the Line and Length Network last month ahead of the opening Test against Pakistan in Guyana, Chanderpaul charged that West Indies selectors had tried to force him to retire but he had refused, the report said.

“He also hinted that his form had suffered as a result of being put under pressure by current coach Ottis Gibson who tried to dictate how he ought to bat. Chanderpaul was also upset over his non-inclusion in the Windies squad for the five-match One-Day International series against Pakistan,” the report said.

Hilaire wrote: “It is our opinion that several of the comments made by you in the course of the abovementioned interview have the effect of denigrating the WICB and in particular the head coach, the selectors, the CEO and the executive members of the Board.

“While we consider it unfortunate that you choose to make public comments on issues about which you may feel dissatisfied, rather than seeking to have discussions with me, any member of team management or any other WICB official; we would like to give you the opportunity to explain your comments and the reasons for same.”

Last Sunday, the WICB said they would also meet with former captain Gayle to discuss controversial comments he made following his return from the World Cup in April.