'The Last Straw Isn't President or Whosoever is in Charge, it is Me,' Says Chris Gayle on Way Forward for Cricket in the Caribbean

The ICC T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the USA is inching towards the business end with the teams for the semifinals set in stone with India, England, South Africa and Afghanistan making it to the final four of the 20-over spectacle.

Ahead of the final stretch of the T20 extravaganza, one of West Indies cricket’s biggest exponents, Chris Gayle, opened up on the World Cup and the way forward for the sport in the Caribbean.

“This World Cup is very important for the Caribbean because we didn’t qualify for the 50-over World Cup last year in India,” he began.

The 44-year-old southpaw however added that he wasn’t a fan of the Caribbean sharing the hosting rights with the USA and opined that they are more than capable of holding it on their own.

“I don’t like the collab, the States and the Caribbean. If the USA wants to host the World Cup by themselves, they can build a couple more stadiums and let them host it. If the World Cup is in the Caribbean, then it is the Caribbean’s World Cup,” Gayle added.

“We are two-time world champions in T20 cricket and 50-over cricket, so we can host our own World Cup. We’ve done it before,” he stated.

West Indies cricket has been in the doldrums for a while now and the Universe Boss opined that he is the last chance they have at redeeming the board of control for the sport in the region.

“What can be done about the West Indies? They only have one option right now. There’s one chance, and that’s me,” he said.

“I am the only one, but I just don’t have the time right now. I have the passion for West Indies cricket, I am married to West Indies cricket until death do us part,” he added.

“But I’ve got to sit down and really think about it, because I am the last straw that West Indies have. And I say that because I am,” he continued.

He reasoned stating that he is the only person who commands the sort of respect required to set things right.

“There’s only one person who has that level of respect within West Indies cricket, from the players to anyone right up the chain,” he explained.

“It’s just for me to say to myself ‘okay, Chris, I’m going to get into the system and put some things in place’ and I know I will have the full support of the players, without a doubt,” the 44-year-old added.

However, he did not put a specific timeline on his rally up to management and said that he has opted to enjoy life at the moment. But, when he does convince himself to rock up to management, he will have the backing of every player in the side.

“But right now, I am just living life. That’s what I choose. I want to live life. I want to enjoy life,” Gayle said.

“I’ve been playing cricket for over 20 years, I always have my West Indies cricket in my heart, I love them to death, and I will always support them. When they lose, I lose. When they win, I win,” he continued.

“The last straw is not the [board] president, it’s not whosoever is in charge right now, it’s me. And it’s for me to decide when, and when I do, I will snap my fingers and say ‘yo, I am ready’. So, let’s see when I snap those fingers and who reacts to it,” the Universe Boss concluded.

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