Sir Andy slams Gayle’s selection on World Cup squad

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Legendary West Indies fast bowler, Sir Andy Roberts has said that the West Indies selectors have erred by including out-of-form Chris Gayle in the Twenty World Cup squad. He said the veteran left-hander should have quit international cricket two years ago.

In a damning criticism of the 15-man squad announced recently by the Roger Harper-led panel, Sir Andy said Gayle’s performances had not “risen to standard” expected and yet selectors were continuing to hope the Jamaican found form.

West Indies batsman Chris Gayle celebrates scoring 200 runs, a double century during their World Cup Cricket match against Zimbabwe in Canberra, Feb. 24, 2015.REUTERS/David Gray, file

The outspoken Antiguan, a former West Indies selector said, “great harm” had also been done to star all-rounder Jason Holder who was relegated to the traveling four-man reserves for the Oct. 17 to Nov. 14 World Cup set for the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Sir Andy said Gayle should have walked away from international cricket after the 2019 World Cup because he has not risen to the standard that is expected.

Gayle has averaged 17 from 16 Twenty20 Internationals this year and recorded a single half century in the last five years. He struggled badly in the just concluded Caribbean Premier League, averaging 16 from nine outings with a best of 42.