The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is imploring Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller to use the influence of her office to get out-of-favour West Indies star batsman Chris Gayle to apologise or retract controversial statements he made against the board in a radio interview last year.
The regional body made the statements in response to Simpson Miller, who at the Jamaica Cricket Association Annual awards dinner last weekend, described the impasse involving the WICB-Gayle as “untenable”.
“Justice delayed is justice denied, and we demand that a resolution be found as quickly as possible,” said Simpson Miller, who is also the minister of defence, development, information and sports.
“Cricket is too important to the people of Jamaica and the West Indies for this to be left down the wicket,” she added.
The WICB, however, in a release issued yesterday, said the minister had been misinformed, and chided local officials for not correctly briefing the minister.
“The WICB regrets the comments made by Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Honourable Portia Simpson Miller, at the Jamaica Cricket Association awards dinner”, the release read.
“The WICB believes that the prime minister did not have the benefit of the full information pertaining to the matters on which she spoke …”
“Had the Honourable Prime Minister been briefed she would have been informed that Mr Chris Gayle has been written to by the WICB, clearly outlining the full details of what is required of him. The WICB is awaiting a response from Mr Gayle.”
Gayle, however, who up to two weeks ago stated that he does not believe a retraction of his criticism of the board and its officials is necessary, a position the WICB is asking the minister to look into.
“The WICB implores the prime minister to use her good office to urge Mr Gayle to respond favourably in an effort to put this issue in the past.”
“The WICB does not believe that the prime minister is suggesting that Mr Gayle be returned to the West Indies team without withdrawing his comments.
“This would be tantamount to a member of the Jamaican cabinet lambasting and deriding the leader of the cabinet and fellow cabinet colleagues and being returned to that august body without any accountability for his or her actions,” the WICB said.
“The WICB believes the prime minister would appreciate the seriousness and repercussions of the case had she been provided with all the relevant information.”
The release also spoke to the concerns raised by Simpson Miller as it related to the non-selection of Sabina Park for the upcoming series.
“… the West Indies v Australia tour was, for reasons pertaining to scheduling and weather, always slated to be played in the Southern Caribbean”, it read.
8 reasons the WICB wants Gayle to recant:
Listed below are some of the alleged statements CEO Ernest Hilaire says offended the board.
● “The ONLY communication was my physio CJ message got a BBM from me updating him on my progress.”
● “I’m the perfect target for them. They want to get rid of me.”
● “Just before the IPL auction, I got an email from the CEO if I’m retiring from Test cricket. I found that very strange. It sounded like he wanted me to retire so he can continue to screw me over.”
● “They threatening players. They’re using the fitness thing to threaten players. You can make 10 ducks in a row and still make the team … as long as you fit like a fiddle … That’s the system they have now … Fitness, fitness, fitness …”
● “Every coach come with the same format … fitness, fitness, fitness … 24/7. Man to man, Australia team no fitter than we. You think India fitter than we?” “Ah joke coach Ottis Gibson ah mek!”
● “The coach is a user. That’s what he is. He is a user.”
● “You think that if I didn’t get an IPL contract. you think I would get a layaway like Pollard and Bravo?.. Them say they will side with those two … and show up Chris Gayle …”
● “Me and Sarwan sit down and talk after the World Cup. Sarwan was messed up mentally. The coach messed up the man mentally. The players were not in the right frame of mind.”
