Chris Gayle could return as Jamaican captain

Explosive opener Chris Gayle could be back in charge of the Jamaica national team for this month’s WICB Regional Super50 Championship in Guyana.

The Jamaica Observer newspaper Tuesday reported that Gayle has been recommended as captain of the team and is awaiting ratification from the Jamaica Cricket Association.

“In terms of naming a captain, it has to be ratified by the board, so we can’t say anything about that,” Chairman of the National Selection Panel Courtney Daley told the newspaper. “But we have recommended (a captain).”

Gayle has not captained Jamaica over the last three years, but would bring plenty of experience to the position having been a former West Indies captain.

Jamaica has not won this version of the game in the last four years, but have shown their strength in the first-class game with four back-to-back titles.

Gayle’s presence in the side will be a major boost to Jamaica’s batting and should enhance their chances of winning.

Reports also indicated that the Jamaicans have included the uncapped pair of Jermaine Blackwood and Kenardo Lewis in their 14-man squad for the tournament which opens Oct 19.

The Jamaicans are scheduled to leave for Guyana Oct 17 and play Leeward Islands in their opening match on Oct 20 at the Guyana National Stadium.

The other sides in Group-B are Trinidad & Tobago and Combined Campuses & Colleges.