WICB seeks meeting with Gayle ahead of return

The West Indies Cricket Board has asked Chris Gayle to meet with its officials to put an end to 'residual matters' related to their seemingly concluded spat after the destructive opener confirmed his availability for national duty.

In a statement, the WICB said it is pleased with Gayle's decision to make himself available for selection for the West Indies team, but prior to matters moving further another meeting between the two parties is necessary.

"Directors of the West Indies Cricket Board recently met by teleconference and are pleased that consistent with his previous commitment Mr Chris Gayle has made himself available for selection to the West Indies team," the statement read.

"The board believes that Mr Gayle's stated commitment to West Indies cricket will be an asset to the team and looks forward to his contributions in that regard.

"The board looks forward to Mr Gayle's indication of his date of availability to meet with the WICB along with Prime Ministers Honourable Baldwin Spencer (who is the Antigua and Barbuda prime minister, and chairman of CARICOM's Prime Ministerial Sub-committee on cricket) and Honourable Ralph Gonsalves (St Vincent and the Grenadines' prime minister) as had been agreed to clear up residual matters prior to his return to the team."

Earlier this month, Gayle opted out of his Twenty20 contract with English county Somerset, saying he is committed to playing for the West Indies in all forms of the game, ending a year-long standoff between him and the WICB, which stemmed from comments he made about the board in a radio interview in April 2011.

Now Gayle is expected to return to the West Indies team for the limited-overs matches on the upcoming tour of England.