ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – The West Indies Cricket Board said yesterday it would no longer pursue disciplinary action against superstar opener Chris Gayle for his criticism of selectors last January.
Gayle had used a post-match interview following a Twenty20 game against South Africa to slam the Clive Lloyd-led panel for axing Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo from West Indies World Cup squad.
He labelled the move as “victimisation” and “ridiculous”, and contended the squad was not the strongest one possible because of the absence of the Trinidadian all-rounders.
However, the board said in a statement that the charge brought against Gayle was laid “him outside the required time frame.”
“It came to the attention of the Disciplinary Committee however, that Gayle had previously been the subject of a reprimand for his comments and the charge was served on him outside the required time frame,” the statement said.
It added: “The WICB’s Code of Conduct also states that such a charge must be laid against an offender within 10 days of the alleged commission of the offence.”