Discarded opening batsman Chris Gayle has finally broken his silence on his long-standing feud with the West Indies Cricket Board while also dismissing suggestions that he doesn’t want to play international cricket.
The 31-year-old released a lengthy statement detailing the reasons behind the stand-off and why attempts to reconcile with the board have been rendered useless.
"I have now reached the stage where I have to say that enough is enough," he wrote in the statement.
"I have come to the bitter realisation that I am not wanted by the board and all that has gone before in terms of reconciliation is a sham and a mockery.
"I see it as a scam to fool the people of the West Indies and the world into believing that they were serious about my returning to West Indies cricket."
The former Windies captain who wasn’t selected for the series against India and last played a Test match in December 2010 went on to clear the air by revealing that he hasn’t retired, but the West Indies board are testing his patience.
"My eyes are open, my heart is clean, my conscience is clear and the voice of reason is loud in my ears telling me that I should close this chapter in my life," he said in the statement.
"I am not going to be the WICB's whipping boy. They have said they will root me out and they have succeeded in doing so by using underhanded tactics while attempting to ascribe blame to other people for what is clear is a well planned set of action.
"Despite all that has happened I am still hopeful that good sense will prevail and I would once again represent my country and my region in near the future.
"I wish to make it abundantly clear that I have not yet retired from any form of the game and remain available for selection for both Jamaica and West Indies. However, this is entirely out of my hands."
While current West Indies coach, Ottis Gibson didn’t wish to be dragged into the controversy.
"What Chris wants to say is up to him. It's a board matter now. The board is dealing with and Chris knows that," Gibson said.
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