Un-contracted West Indies players eligible for selection: WICB

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has declared that the un-contracted players are still eligible for selection. The un-contracted players include dashing opener Chris Gayle, all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine and former skipper Darren Sammy. While these players would certainly go on to add a much-needed stability to the inexperienced West Indian side. All the un-contracted players were part of the Windies side that was victorious in the 2012 edition of the T20 World Cup.

Michael Muirhead, the CEO of the WICB said that the selection would be done on certain criteria with the future of West Indies cricket in mind. Muirhead also went on to state that the six un-contracted players did not fit into the direction and vision of West Indian cricket.

“The selectors did the retainers based on where they saw West Indies cricket going and the philosophy which they wanted to encourage and adopt, principally being loyal to commitment and really build for the longer form of the game. Lloyd had previously said how and where he was projecting our cricket to go, and how he wanted to build it,” Muirhead told ESPNcricinfo.

It also has been reported that the six players were offered contracts and retainers. However, in January 2015, Chris Gayle and Sunil Narine had voluntarily declined the contracts stating that they wanted to focus on domestic T20 Cricket.

“When Chris Gayle and Narine refused our retainer contracts some years ago it was so that they had the freedom to do what they wanted. But they are eligible to play all our games if they meet our criteria. This is not a penalty.”  Muirhead also went on to state that the players declined contracts in order to be free to play T20 cricket all over the world. “Many of those players have withdrawn from the long form of the game officially and are not interested in playing for the West Indies in all formats,” he said.

West Indian cricket has been in a shambolic condition in the last two years. Dwayne Bravo and Darren Sammy have announced their retirement from test cricket. Kieron Pollard has never played a test match and has been viewed by the selectors as a limited overs specialist. Sunil Narine, who is busy correcting his bowling action, has represented his country in just three tests. Chris Gayle, the 36-year-old veteran is the only one who has signaled his intention to represent his side in test cricket.