Former West Indies captain Chris Gayle was on Thursday told to retract his bitter criticism of the region's governing body if he wanted to resurrect his international career. The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) told the big-hitting batsman that they are prepared to negotiate a way out of the impasse, which has left the 32-year-old exiled from the national team.
"The West Indies Cricket Board requires that Chris Gayle withdraws his comments in order to be considered for selection to the West Indies team," said a statement released early Thursday after a meeting of the WICB board of directors. "The decision has been communicated to Mr Gayle and the Board awaits his response." Gayle, who has had a series of disputes with the WICB, has not played for the West Indies since the World Cup earlier this year. He chose to participate in the lucrative Indian Premier League in April after being overlooked for the home series against Pakistan.
Gayle then gave a radio interview in which he questioned his treatment by members of the board, including chief executive Ernest Hilaire and coach Ottis Gibson. Former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd, who is the current director of the WICB, said officials had been fair.