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Unhappy Gayle may step down

Port of Spain: Apparently unhappy with the West Indies Cricket Board’s selection policy of experimenting with young blood in the recent series against Australia, Chris Gayle is considering stepping down as the West Indies captain.

WICB Chief Executive Donald Peters said he was aware of Gayle’s intention to step down from captaincy though the Board was yet to receive an official word from the swashbuckling opener.

“I am aware he (Gayle) is considering not making himself available for the captaincy,” Peters told Trinidad and Tobago Express.

“If Gayle decides to step down, the West Indies will have to appoint a new captain for Champions Trophy in Pakistan in September.”

Gayle had questioned the selection of several youngsters for the last two matches of the home ODI series against Australia, which it lost 0-5. The Caribbeans also lost the three-Test series 0-2.

Gayle has had mixed results as captain, winning two Tests out of five and seven ODIs out of 17. He led the West Indies to two series wins in ODIs, including an away victory against England last year, and against the touring Sri Lankans recently.

He led the side to a surprise win in the first Test against South Africa in Johannesburg only to lose the next two matches and the series. His other Test win came against Sri Lanka here to level the two match series.

Gayle has had to cope with injuries during his tenure, sometimes struggling to keep fit for an entire tour. He returned home from the tour of South Africa after suffering a thumb and hamstring injury. Later, a groin niggle ruled him out of the Indian Premier League. — PTI

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