Dhaka: Chris Gayle’s return to the West Indies ranks has been a happy one. He has tucked a Test century and a world title under his belt since June this year when the 15-month impasse with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) ended.
He’s also worldlier, being equipped to deal with every aspect of cricket administration, an aspect he thinks is a “part of life” as an international cricketer.
“We are playing international cricket, so there’s going to be issues to deal with on and off the field,” Gayle said. “As a player you have to know how to deal with things around your career. You have to be strong-minded to get the job done. It is part of life.”
Following the 2011 World Cup, the Gayle-WICB saga came to a head after Gayle criticised the selectors. He was first dropped for the visits of Pakistan and India and went on to miss series against India, Australia and England.
The standoff was only broken when he and his agent met the selectors in St Vincent, following which the WICB picked him for the limited-overs leg of the England tour.
Despite the return, Gayle has said that off-field issues are endemic, and it has to be dealt with. “We will always have these things to deal with off the field, every particular board is going to have problems. It is something we have to live with.”
“If you don’t have fun, you’ll struggle in international cricket. I am enjoying it, it’s good to be back and contributing at the top of the order. Hopefully in the next couple of years, things can get better from a personal point of view. I will try and entertain as much as possible,” said Gayle who turned 33 last month. AGENCIES
