Western Australia expect Gayle for Big Bash
PERTH, Australia (CMC) — Western Australia Warriors are keeping their fingers crossed that Chris Gayle will link-up with them for the upcoming Big Bash series.
Media reports indicate that the deposed West Indies captain is keen to return to the state side for the Twenty20 competition, with only a No Objection Certificate from the West Indies Cricket Board now standing in the way.
“We are waiting for the NOC document to be signed,” said Warriors chief executive Graeme Wood.
“And there’s still negotiations on at the moment between the WICB and the West Indies Players’ Association, but all indications are it’s heading in the right direction, and we’ll have Chris Gayle available this summer.
“He’s got great charisma, and we’d just love to see him back here playing all six games, and hopefully getting us into the Final.”
Gayle apparently was a favourite for the Warriors in last season’s Big Bash, although he appeared in just two matches due to a side strain.
He recently turned down a central retainer contract from the WICB to pursue playing options in various T20 leagues around the World.
Subsequently, Gayle was fired as West Indies captain, but he was still chosen in the West Indies side for a three-Test series in Sri Lanka this month.
Meanwhile, WA have replaced Kemar Roach, Gayle’s West Indies teammate, with discarded England fast bowler Sajid Mahmood.
Roach signed on to the WICB central contract, and then withdrew from his obligations to the Australia club due to domestic commitments in the Caribbean.