Chris Gayle willing to quit West Indies captaincy

[Richard]

Originally Posted by Jono

Yeah, that statement is on a totally different level to "I prefer T20 and ODIs" (similar to Styris) or that he would retire from tests to play the shorter format.

This is simply, "test cricket is meh to me".

Hard to respect Gayle after that tbh, even considering the **** I imagine he's had to go through with the WICB.

I think anyone who was honestly expecting every single top-level cricketer to think the way we-who-consider-our-fanship-of-the-highest-quality think was asking far, far too much. Not everyone is going to conform, and the likes of Gayle who want Twenty20 more than they want Tests can jolly well go and have their cake. What we don't want is attitudes like this being encouraged. However, that they were unavoidable in some cases was always 100% inevitable.

[Jono]

Originally Posted by Richard

I think anyone who was honestly expecting every single top-level cricketer to think the way we-who-consider-our-fanship-of-the-highest-quality think was asking far, far too much. Not everyone is going to conform, and the likes of Gayle who want Twenty20 more than they want Tests can jolly well go and have their cake. What we don't want is attitudes like this being encouraged. However, that they were unavoidable in some cases was always 100% inevitable.

Sure, but as I said, its one think preferring a format.

Its another being a test captain of one of the traditional and most beloved test cricketing nations in the game's history, saying he wouldn't mind if test cricket was wiped out.

Of course, if his comments were in jest or pulling the interviewer's leg, then its a totally different matter.

But if there was truth to it, its a very serious issue. This isn't Dwayne Smith saying it, its the test captain.

[Richard]

As I say though - I think we can say fairly safely that Gayle isn't Test captain by choice. He doesn't seem to think he volunteered for this.

[four_or_six]

Surely if he doesn't want it he should just resign and someone else who is more up for it can do it?

[Richard]

Hasn't he already tried, at least once? And BTSOT, he'll be trying again pretty soon.

I've said it before, but Gayle just doesn't fit the traditional archetype of captain, not at all. So him being captain is always going to offend the sensibility of plenty.

[four_or_six]

Originally Posted by Richard

Hasn't he already tried, at least once? And BTSOT, he'll be trying again pretty soon.

I've said it before, but Gayle just doesn't fit the traditional archetype of captain, not at all. So him being captain is always going to offend the sensibility of plenty.

Yeah, true. Tbh, I don't really care whether he wants to play tests or not. I just don't really like the constant wingeing. Also, I think it's a bit unfair on his team-mates. Sure, he wants to play IPL. But there's only about three/four West Indians who'd play IPL, so for the rest this series is a good opportunity for the majority of the team because they're apparently being paid loads compared to a normal tour, and also it's a good chance for them to cement themselves into the team.

[Noble One]

Agree with the opinion that Chris Gayle does not appear to be the most willing of captains. Gayle would be more than happy to just stand at slip all day, send down some over’s, then have a swing with the bat; nothing more.

Cannot ignore that he is one of the more successful West Indian captains in years. But it is hard to suggest that Gayle's captaincy has been a reason for the turnaround in West Indian fortunes. That can be attributed to certain talented individuals stepping up there game (Sarwan, Taylor).

I hope he stays on as captain. Never been a fan of Sarwan as leader, Chanderpaul doesn’t require the burden and none of the other players are secure enough in the team to hold the captaincy role. For cricketing fans, it is great for the game to have Gayle in-charge. Possibly the most unique personality in the game. He provides us with numerous opportunities to discuss different aspects of the game. Can you really imagine Andrew Strauss, Ricky Ponting, Dan Vettori coming out with such articles? Hardly.

[aussie]

Originally Posted by Gayle Force

Gayle was the subject of much criticism for extending his IPL stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders and joining his West Indies team-mates only 48 hours before the first Test at Lord's, a match which they lost inside three days. Strauss had said that "we wouldn't want our players to arrive two days before" a Test. He said that it was important for Test cricket to get the attention it deserved and that it shouldn't be devalued in "any way, shape or form".

Gayle, however, responded to the England captain's comments by saying that the matter "doesn't concern him". "Focus on his team, don't worry about West Indies, don't worry about me," Gayle said. "Tell him don't sleep with Chris on his mind, tell him get Chris off his mind."

Originally Posted by Gayle Force

While Gayle said he wouldn't be worried if the primacy of Test cricket reduced, he said Strauss should because he may not be able to adapt to the shorter format. Strauss, who is England's Test and ODI captain, isn't part of the squad for the World Twenty20 in June.

"I wouldn't be so sad [about the demise of Test cricket]," Gayle said. "Some other players would be. Maybe Andrew Strauss would be sad. Maybe he will be sad if Test cricket dies and Twenty20 comes in. Because there is no way he can make the change. So tough luck. I like Twenty20 since it come about now. I like it. Who doesn't? Maybe a couple of the Englishmen wouldn't like to play Twenty20."

, Chris Gayle 2 the ***********HH WORLDDDD....Yardman forever, that nigga made a mess of Strauss & England the gangster way!!

[TT Boy]

[TT Boy]

Sad comments from Gayle and if he goes, Ramdin may become captain. You know the guy who can't even average over 25 with the bat.

[Langeveldt]

It's the start of the slide, and everyone is too engrossed in the watered down baseball we have tarnishing our very hallowed turfs at the moment.. Everyone wants cheerleaders muffs and thats precisely what they will get when everyone goes the way of Gayle.. Perhaps we'll be left with a crowd of journeymen who actually like 4-5 day cricket playing.. Recalls for Mark Lathwell and Philip Tuffnell anyone?

[Polo23]

Originally Posted by Langeveldt

It's the start of the slide, and everyone is too engrossed in the watered down baseball we have tarnishing our very hallowed turfs at the moment.. Everyone wants cheerleaders muffs and thats precisely what they will get when everyone goes the way of Gayle.. Perhaps we'll be left with a crowd of journeymen who actually like 4-5 day cricket playing.. Recalls for Mark Lathwell and Philip Tuffnell anyone?

^ what he said.

Really disappointing what Gayle has said, even more so because he was one of my favourite cricketers. Not that he would care at all, but i've lost a lot of respect for him now. Test cricket IS cricket, if that goes, then so does cricket all together.

[vic_orthdox]

Agree with the people earlier on, think it's more of a reflection of annoyance at the current situation than him wishing for the death of Test cricket.

It would be interesting to ask him how he much he enjoyed the recent Test success against England.

[pasag]

WI and Pakistan, the only two sides where being a captain of the national cricket team seems to be a burden, not a privilege.

[shivfan]

Originally Posted by zaremba

Deeply depressing to hear any top player thinking it wouldn't be a shame to see T20 wipe out Test cricket.

I don't have a problem with that statement....

I don't see why we all need to worship at the alter of Test cricket, and treat it as if it's a deity that stands above us all to marvel at.

There are a lot of young cricket fans who have no time for Test cricket, and are only interested in 20/20 or ODI cricket. And in the Caribbean, the Test crowds have dwindled so much. But 20/20 internationals in the Caribbean are sold out!

So, Gayle and company earn more playing 20/20 cricket, get larger crowds, and perform well in that format. He's just speaking the truth as he sees it....

Better than some of those cricketers, who just put out the PR platitudes in honour of the Great Lord Test Cricket.