Thaindian News

St John’s (Antigua), April 20 (IANS) The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has cleared Chris Gayle to play for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL), but said it is “most disappointed” with him for keeping it in dark about his plans to play in India after making himself unavailable for the home series against Pakistan.

“The WICB was surprised to learn that Gayle had been making arrangements to play in India when it was under the impression that he was recovering from injury and was undergoing rehabilitation and about to resume training,” the WICB said in a statement Wednesday.

“The WICB does not accept Gayle’s reason for making himself unavailable, but as he has already clearly made his choice and has travelled to India, the WICB does not wish to stand in his way.”

The WICB also stated that it can understand players wanting to play in the IPL, but at the same time they must show a “commitment” to West Indies cricket.

Gayle was recovering from an abdominal injury suffered during the World Cup in the subcontinent and was not available for selection for the one-off Twenty20 and first two ODIs against Pakistan.

The explosive opener got an offer from RCB to replace injured Australian fast bowler Dirk Nannes who has been ruled out for five weeks. Gayle played for Kolkata Knight Riders in the first three IPL seasons, but went unsold in the auction in January for the revamped fourth season.

“The WICB is most disappointed in the manner in which Gayle has handled the entire situation, especially given the mature and cooperative manner in which two other players who refused board contracts — Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard — made themselves available for selection and agreed to an understanding in the best interests of West Indies cricket,” the WICB said in a statement.

“The WICB accepted that players would want to play in the IPL but equally impressed upon the players that they must show a commitment to West Indies cricket and plans for the development of West Indies cricket,” the statement added.

The WICB said it gave Gayle clearance after he told the Board that he would not be available for the Pakistan series.

“Gayle informed the WICB that he had received an offer to participate in the IPL and applied to the WICB for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to play the entire duration of the IPL which clashes with the Pakistan leg of the Digicel Series.”

Gayle was undergoing rehabilitation and the WICB medical personnel had been communicating with him on the status and management of his injury since his return to Jamaica following the World Cup.

The WICB said it was not accurate, as has been “insinuated in some quarters, that Gayle was not selected for the entire Pakistan leg of the Digicel Series.”

The squads for three more ODIs and the Tests are yet to be selected.

“In discussing his application for an NOC, the WICB has repeatedly informed Gayle that he is expected to resume training after which he would be required to undergo a fitness test and once passed fit, he will be considered for selection for the remainder of the Pakistan Series.”

“After the refusal to sign retainer contracts, the WICB deliberately sought to engage the players in discussions to avoid any conflict over the IPL and commitments to West Indies cricket.”