Another Chris Gayle controversy
With CWI poised to grant the Universe Boss a farewell game vs Ireland - predictable cussing and consternation has exploded in the Caribbean
Should Chris Gayle have retired in 2019 after the ODI World Cup?
Should Chris Gayle have retired in 2021 after the T20 World Cup?
Whatever your views on the above, the self-styled Universe Boss is to get a final farewell appearance in the Maroon vs Ireland on January 16th in a solitary T20I.
For some of a certain vintage in the Caribbean they feel this represents a step too far. Perhaps furious with Gayle’s selection and role in the T20 World Cup failure some would prefer Gayle to walk off into the distance now and not have an international game used as a goodbye game.
The merits or not of that viewpoint, Gayle has not selected himself and if he does play the buck of criticism should stop with CWI and no-one else.
Yet one thing is clear, the former WICB has a history of not treating retiring West Indian players well. From Viv to Shiv and many more we can recount tales of how players were unceremoniously dumped without so much of a goodbye.
With Gayle this seems like an attempt to redress the balance moving forward and there is no doubt that Gayle is the last of the greats (for the foreseeable future).
As ever I took to our You Tube channel to dissect the furore and look at the pros and cons for Gayle getting his farewell game, an issue I personally believe is being blown way out of proportion for more reasons than one.
Have a watch and share with anyone you feel may be interested.