‘Misguided’ Chris Gayle begs for forgiveness

KINGSTON: Chris Gayle of Jamaica acknowledged making a “misguided” decision to compete in the recent Double Wicket tournament, which he believes cost him a spot on the West Indies cricket team in their First Test match against Australia today. But the batsman defended his actions in a statement on Tuesday, saying he believes the West Indies Cricket Board had sanctioned the decision for him to participate in the tournament in St Lucia rather than play for Jamaica in the Carib Beer final against Barbados.

The Antigua-based West Indies Cricket Board was not immediately available for comment yesterday. “While I may have made a misguided decision, I do not believe I have done anything wrong,” the 23-year-old left-handed opener said. “I wish to assure everyone that I did not intend to do wrong and humbly seek your forgiveness and understanding.” “On the other hand, if as I suspect my non-selection stemmed from a clear and demonstrable misunderstanding of the rules relative to the eligibility for selection and my part in the Double Wicket competition, then I believe injustice has been done to me,” he said.

Gayle, a member of the West Indies squad to the recent World Cup in South Africa, withdrew from Jamaica’s team to the Carib Beer final to play alongside former West Indies captain Carl Hooper in the double wicket series. Jamaica’s national cricket team manager Lyndel Wright and captain Robert Samuels say they gave Gayle the green light to play in the tournament because they also felt that West Indies officials had approved his participation. Gayle has played 28 Tests for the West Indies since making his debut in 1999 against Zimbabwe in Trinidad and Tobago. He has scored two centuries, including a best score of 204 against New Zealand.