Gayle wanted to remain as captain

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

FORMER West Indies captain, Chris Gayle, says he was not surprised about the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) decision to axe him as captain, as he knew that once he had not signed the board's retainer contract it was a distinct possibility.

In his first media interview since the WICB made the announcement on Sunday that Windward Islands all-rounder, Darren Sammy, would replace him as captain, Gayle said he did not sign the WICB's retainer contract for several reasons, some of which he plans to make public after the ongoing WICB Regional 50-Over Tournament.

Sammy, 26, has been appointed captain until at least the end of next summer's Digicel Home Series.

"They notified me about a week ago that I was not going to be captain and as such, when the announcement was made public I wasn't too surprised," Gayle told The Gleaner.

"It was a situation whereby not signing a retainer contract, I knew this would have happened. But there are a lot reasons why I didn't sign the contract, reasons I wish not to go into at this moment," he added.

Still interested in leading

However, he said he was still interested in leading the regional team, but congratulated Sammy on his appointment.

Said Gayle: "I was looking towards next year's World Cup, after which I would have given up the captaincy. But what has happened has already happened and we just have to move on as in life nothing is guaranteed."

He added: "I congratulate Darren Sammy and hopefully he will put his best foot forward as we try to improve our world ranking.

"The experience was great, I can't complain one bit as it has done a world of good for me individually throughout my career.

"It was an honour and privilege to be the captain and now that I am back as a (regular) player, the team will have my support in whatever areas they may deem necessary," said the 31-year-old Gayle, who had been captaining the team since 2007.

Under his leadership, the West Indies won three of 20 Tests, drew eight and lost nine times.

In the game's shorter formats, the team won 23 of 53 one-day internationals and seven of 17 Twenty20s with Gayle at the helm.