WICB: Gayle Remains Eligible

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has finally broken its silence on the issue of Chris Gayle's eligibility for selection, ruling that Gayle did get "tacit, if not explicit, permission" to play in the double-wicket competition.

After a review of reports from JCA boss Jackie Hendriks and Chris Gayle, the board decided "Gayle should continue to be eligible for selection" for the Test and ODI series against Australia.

In his report to the board, Gayle made it clear he had informed Hendriks that he wished to follow through with his plans to play in the Double Wicket Tournament in St Lucia rather than the Carib Beer International Shield Final.

"Mr. Hendriks indicated that he did not have a problem with my taking part in the said tournament, but he did not commit either way. " Gayle said in his report.

Gayle told the WICB that he also informed the Jamaica Team Manager, Lyndel Wright who suggested that he needed to speak with the Jamaica Chairman of Selectors, Ruddy Williams. "In our conversation Mr. Williams told me to think about my decision and whatever my decison was they would understand and support me either way" Gayle said in his report to the WICB.

He said none of the Jamaican officials objected to his participation although he had no formal written approval. He also stated that he was not aware that he could be in breach of the eligibility rule.

The board announced it had accepted that Gayle "received tacit, if not explicit, permission to play in the Double Wicket Tournament" and emphasised that players for the tournament were selected solely by the organizers.

"In a letter to Gayle, the Board has expressed its disappointment about his choosing to play in the Double Wicket Tournament rather than for his national team in the Carib International Shield Final, even after the Tournament organizers offered to release him," the board said.