Gayle on possible protest: 'This is the right time'
Sat, Mar 28, '09
By Michelle McDonald in BarbadosWest Indies Captain Chris Gayle wants the ongoing talks between the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to change pace and speed up, much like his innings in the third One Day International against England at Kensington Oval last Friday. To some, it might appear that the two-day meeting held in Barbados last week was successful in averting further protest action. But Chris Gayle gave journalists no such guarantee when he addressed them at the Accra Beach Hotel, the day after that dramatic win.
Sunday’s fourth game, which could seal the series for the West Indies, is an important one in many ways. A win for the home team should worry the West Indies Cricket Board since the last match will not be needed as the decider and therefore the players might feel they would have nothing to lose. In the words of Gayle “this is the right time.” Read more of what he had to say to the small group of journalists....
On his innings of 80 off 43 balls in the third ODI......
I really enjoyed every moment of it until the last ball when I got out. The game was already set up and we came out with a victory. It was a real team effort. From the way we started out there was brilliant. The conditions earlier to bat, the first couple of overs, the ball was seaming around, but after that, the wicket tended to be a very good batting wicket.
We got the better of England, which we wanted to do, and our start was very important with the ball. Those were the key points we spoke about, that we need that sort of start, picking up key wickets and it happened in this game and we saw that eventually we bowled them out which was pretty pleasing. In the batting department, to win the game that dramatically, in that fashion, was very very pleasing. The fielding was brilliant as well, it’s just for us to actually continue Sunday from where we left off.
On the confidence in the team.....
We’re confident, but not over confident and also nervous as well because tomorrow is another important game. You actually want to win the series and that will ease a lot of pressure off us. We just have to stick with the basic things, go out there and have fun, like we did in the last game, and prove that we can actually win the series.
On the ongoing talks and how winning was confirmation of their focus on the game....
Yes, there was a lot of speculation before the game whether the game would be going on. I pointed out to you guys that I was looking forward to the game, but at the same time, we are still disappointed in the manner in which things have been handled. I would like to point out to you that I didn’t speak to [Dinanath] Ramnarine [WIPA President] before the last press conference. When I got back feedback, I got some disappointing news. It’s not too good and I saw even articles where my name has been tarnished about choosing IPL over the England tour, which I had spoken to you guys about before. When I went back, I saw these things. It’s not good.
On whether he is disappointed and angry, and if he feels he is being undermined.
Undermined, but at the same time, I am a professional, so once I step out in the middle, I will be ready for cricket. But at the same time, when there are issues to be dealt with, then it should be dealt with. I am still disappointed with the way things have gone. I think they are still trying to bypass WIPA and we the players actually instruct WIPA to go about what we want at this point in time. It is not the case that WIPA actually goes out on its own and does these sorts of things. We the players ask for these things, these changes. From a contractual point of view, WIPA is the one to sort these things out. At the same time, I am disappointed from what I hear. I hear a lot of rumours out there. They want to make WIPA look like they are the bad ones, which they are not, so we actually are very disappointed. We just have to play this game tomorrow and see what happens in the next couple of days.
On whether the final game in St Lucia is under threat...
There’s a possibility, I can tell you straight up. I am not going to go around any corner. We need this to be solved before the series is finished and forget about all these disputes, so it’s a possibility. Players have actually come to me disappointed to see their names out there in the media tarnished, and it’s not good. What was the arrangement was there shouldn’t have been any comment regarding the negotiation and to see these comments [by Donald Peters, WICB CEO] being put out, trying to get the public against us for one, which I don’t think that will happen. But at the same time, we are all big men, we have to make our own decisions, but it is very disappointing to see we as players being tarnished out there.
On whether there will be further talks, and if they are prepared not to play in St Lucia...
Yes, there will be talks definitely. Yes, definitely.
On whether it isn’t an unreasonable time frame to sort out the many issues before the series finishes...
Yes, that’s true, there are a lot of issues, but at some point we should actually reach some sort of agreement rather than give us the mind thinking that things will be OK, and then when things are over, you might not get it sorted out. This is the right time. At least we can reach some sort of stage, there should be some sort of guarantee to actually make sure things will be resolved and maybe later on after the tour, I am sure we can finish the rest of the issues.
On the top two issues that the players would want to be sorted out next week....
The biggest one is not about we as international players. It’s about more so the First Class players. We need a better structure when it comes on to match fees. We just want everybody to benefit out of this. It’s not about us who’re playing for the West Indies, but it’s more for the regional players to benefit. This has been going on for years and it is about time some sort of progress is made. Guys play First Class cricket for how many years and have nothing to show really. You have to play for the West Indies to earn some sort of living, which is very disappointing. It’s not about us really. We are just actually trying to help other players to benefit, so whatever strike there might be, it’s for the other rest of players, definitely.
On whether there really is the possibility of a strike in St Lucia....
Well, if we don’t come to some sort of agreement, yes. This is Chris Gayle saying that.
On how much control he personally has over this decision...
Well, it’s not about me really but we all decide these things as a group. This time, we determine certain things.
On the possibility that whatever meeting that is set up between WIPA and WICB might be after the series is finished...
Well, that might have to change.
On what part IPL plays in this and what permission he has got....
You know....come to think of it, up to this day, no one has actually come to me about it. Word on the street is that there will be a two-week window and we’ll have to be back for the England tour. I am sure at some stage, they should actually discuss it. I don’t even know what to say to be honest with you. Even though I said that I would go, they still haven’t come to me even though I said that.
