PORT-OF-SPAIN – West Indies coach Ottis Gibson said on Tuesday that his players had given their firm backing to captain Chris Gayle speaking out on controversial team issues.
He was speaking against the backdrop of the on-the-field run-in between Sulieman Benn and Gayle during Sunday’s fourth One-Dayer against South Africa, which resulted in the left-arm spinner being sent off.
At a post-match media conference, Gayle revealed that Benn had failed to comply with a directive he had given. “The skipper is his own man and he has spoken out. Normally he is a very quiet person but his frustration is causing him to come out and the players understand this,” Gibson said here on Tuesday.
“We met, and the guys think that probably it is time that things come out and maybe it would lead to betterment. The skipper thought that he was not getting the support he needed from a player who was not giving 100 per cent and he spoke out.”
For his actions, Benn was Monday fined 100 per cent of his match fee following a meeting of the team’s management.
Despite the Windies’ woeful form, Gibson said he had seen improvement in the team and hoped they could finish the series with a win.
“We have lost the two T20 matches and four One-Day Internationals and this makes it six losses. In five of these matches we were in a position to win and let it slip. We just can’t seem to get over the final hurdle,” said the former West Indies fast bowler.
“Although the team is not winning, I have seen improvements and the players are working hard.
“When I took this job, I didn’t expect us to start beating people overnight. It is a process and once we put the right things in place, we will be getting there.” (CMC)
