MSL 2018: Chris Gayle to fly back home to attend his mother's funeral

Windies opener Chris Gayle will fly back home from South Africa in order to attend his mother’s funeral. The powerful opening batsman, who is part of the Jozi Stars in the ongoing Mzansi Super League (MSL) will miss the remaining fixtures of the tournament.

Gayle said that although his mother passed away last month, she had not been put to rest as not everybody could not make it to their home. The 39-year old also mentioned that playing in the T20 league and meeting his new team members had diverted his mind but the voyage back home to attend the funeral would be hysterical.

Nevertheless, Gayle admitted that it’s not been easy playing cricket while someone with who he shared a close relationship has passed away.

“Although my mom passed away on the sixth of last month, she had not been laid to rest as other family members were not able to get home and they’re flying in this week. It’s not been easy to play cricket when you’ve lost your mom, whom you’ve been so close to” Gayle said as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.

He further added by saying, “The game was a nice distraction for me because had I been home, it would’ve been worse, so meeting new team members helped calm me. It’s going to be emotional when I go back.”

Gayle thanks Cricket South Africa 

The left-hander, who appeared in four matches for the Jozi Stars thanked the South African Cricket Board (CSA), expressing his delightfulness to be able to meet new team members and be a part of the newly formed T20 league. However, he also said that leaving halfway is unfortunate but attending to a family matter is his number one priority on the list.

“I would like to thank Cricket South Africa and the Jozi Stars. It’s always nice to come back and play some cricket here. I’ve made some great memories and it was a pleasure to be part of this new T20 league. It’s unfortunate that I have to leave. It is not the way I wanted this to end. I have a family matter and family is my number one priority,” the Universe Boss added.

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