Kingston (Jamaica), Nov 3 (IANS/CMC) Fritz Harris, general secretary of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), said a mediator should be brought in to adjudicate the ongoing dispute between Chris Gayle and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).
Harris said the JCA has been quiet on the dispute following inflammatory remarks by the Jamaican captain about the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) in an interview on a national radio station in May.
‘The JCA is ready to assist and we have done a lot of work behind the scenes,’ Harris was quoted as saying in the Jamaica Observer Wednesday.
‘Since both parties are in a deadlock, it’s my opinion that a third party be brought in to mediate. We could look to the universities or someone from the legal fraternity for help,’ he said.
‘We all agree that this is going on for far too long. We have to wait and see how the WICB responds to what Chris has asked.’
Harris said he agreed with Gayle’s request for the WICB to indicate what statements that were made during the interview that should be retracted.
The WICB has indicated from the start that Gayle must retract certain statements he made during the interview before he is considered for selection again to the West Indies team.
The board of directors reiterated their position following a meeting last month in Antigua, where the matter was discussed.
‘It’s a fair request from Chris because if you are going to retract, you at least need to know what it is that is of concern to the other party,’ said Harris.
‘Nowhere the WICB has stated to what it has taken umbrage.’
Gayle has not played for the West Indies since he returned from the World Cup in April in the sub-continent.
He played in last month’s Regional Super50 tournament, leading the Jamaicans to the title for the first time in four years.
Gayle said he still wants to play for the West Indies and is available for selection.
‘The Super50 tournament is finished and I’m expecting some release to be sent out for clarification on what’s happening,’ he said. ‘We have to just wait and see what will happen.’
Gayle was not named in the 15-member West Indies squad for the tour of India, starting Sunday.
