Among the world’s leading professional cricketers, Chris Gayle will not participate in this year’s Caribbean Premier League. The hard-hitting “Universal Boss”, who plays in franchisee-based leagues worldwide, has opted out of West Indies Cricket Board’s franchisee-based competition on the eve of the player draft.
Gayle had withdrawn his name from the player draft for personal reasons. He reportedly wanted to spend time with his family.
The 40-year-old had to represent St. Lucia Zouks for having been signed outside the draft in the $130,000-$160,000 price bracket in April as a marquee player.
The CPL 2020 will be played across only two venues in Trinidad and Tobago from August 18 until September 10 subject to Government clearance. The Trinidad and Tobago has in principle give a nod to host the league, but a final confirmation will be subject to the clearance from the Ministry of Health in the light of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Gayle, according to an ESPNcricinfo report, had pointed out that due to the lockdown, he has not been able to meet his family and his young child who are in St Kitts while he has been in Jamaica. Gayle said he needed a break and wanted to spend time with his young family.
A veteran of 103 Tests and 301 ODIs for the West Indies, Gayle had with a two-time CPL champion team member with Jamaica Tallawahs and played another final with St Kitts & Nevis Patriots