Gayle wants to return as Windies captain

DISCOVERY BAY, Jamaica, (Reuters) – Chris Gayle is  happy to take on the West Indies captain’s role again following  an end to the bitter dispute between the players and the West  Indies Cricket Board, the opening batsman has said.  

“If I am asked to do the job I will be committed. It is  always honour to captain the West Indies,” Gayle told Reuters  in an interview. “I am always committed to do it.  

“Support-wise the players have been really good and it  shouldn’t be a problem. Once I am asked to do it then,  definitely.”  

The 30-year-old hard-hitting left-hander captained West  Indies to a 1-0 series win over England in the Caribbean  earlier this year and looked well settled in the role until the  players boycotted the home series against Bangladesh in July.  

In the midst of the conflict over contractual and payment  issues, 37-year-old Barbadian Floyd Reifer took charge of a  mostly makeshift team and failed to win a single match against  Bangladesh or at the Champions Trophy in South Africa.  

It would be a major surprise if Reifer, whose batting  performances were well-below test standard, would be asked to  lead the team to Australia next month.  

Gayle’s return to the role he first took on in 2007,  however, has been questioned by new WICB chief executive Ernest  Hilaire.  

Hilaire suggested last month the selectors would be wise to  ask Gayle to clarify his future given his comments during their  tour of England in May when he said he did not see a long  future for himself in test cricket and preferred the Twenty20  format.  

He also said he was looking forward to a break from the  pressures of captaincy.  

But, having had time off during the dispute, Gayle is  clearly refreshed, willing to take on the responsibility again  and no longer interested in discussions about his preferences  for different formats of the game.  

“I am committed to whatever cricket I play. Once I step  across the line I am 100 percent committed — it doesn’t matter  what kind of cricket we play,” Gayle said.  

Significantly Gayle’s comments come after he received the  backing of all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, an influential dressing  room figure.  

“I am happy with Chris as West Indies captain. He has done  a fantastic job and all the guys have a lot of respect for  him,” Bravo said recently.  

Gayle said the recent strike and series defeat to  Bangladesh was a “heartbreaking situation” but he is hopeful  that last week’s agreement between the players’ union and the  board will allow for a fresh start.  

“I’m happy agreements have been reached but at the same  time, hopefully things will be better for our infrastructure so  that we can work as one unit and leave the controversy behind,  put it to one side and go out and enjoy the game.  

“I think it will happen. Let’s keep our fingers crossed,  everyone is looking to work together.”