Share

Gayle talks up Test comeback

Melbourne - West Indian Chris Gayle insisted on Tuesday he has not turned his back on Test cricket and wants to pull on the whites again for his troubled national team.

The flamboyant Gayle has been portrayed in the media as preferring to take the money and play for Twenty20 franchises than help rescue Caribbean cricket from its current malaise.

But the ex-Windies captain insisted it was injury that sidelined him from the current series against Australia, who won the first Test in Hobart by an innings inside three days on Saturday.

Gayle, who has played 103 Tests, had back surgery earlier this year.

Despite this, the 36-year-old expects to be fit enough to play every Big Bash League game for the Melbourne Renegades this season and was adamant he wanted to play Tests again.

"There's no way I could have actually been part of that Test team (in Hobart), I'm just coming back off injury," he said.

"I haven't retired from the game. Next year hopefully Test cricket is on the agenda."

Gayle's comments came as criticism mounted about the tourists' inept performance in Hobart with pace great Michael Holding telling Fairfax Media the West Indies Cricket Board was "dysfunctional, untrustworthy and not liked by the employees".

Gayle was reluctant to criticise the board, and defended his younger Test team-mates.

"It's a young team, so we have to definitely give it time rather than be so harsh on West Indies cricket all the time," he said.

"You have to give us time ... it won't happen overnight."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE