Chris Gayle ... to be asked to captain one-day side. - file

WEST INDIES Cricket Board (WICB) chief executive Bruce Aanensen has been instructed to offer the captaincy of the ODI team to Chris Gayle, after the full board yesterday sided with the selection panel's choice of the left-handed opener to lead the side, the CaribbeanCricket.com website reported yesterday.

The WICB's executive com-mittee (presidents of the territorial boards, plus Ken Gordon and Val Banks) had earlier rejected the Gayle nomination on allegations of "indiscipline", but its decision to hand the captaincy to Daren Ganga infuriated the selectors because Ganga was not included in the 14-man squad which was picked and submitted to the board, the website stated.

Selection process

The selectors threatened to resign en masse if the WICB interfered with the selection process and forced Ganga's inclusion in the side, prompting yesterday morning's teleconference to try to find a resolution.

During the call, it was made clear that Gayle has never been charged with indiscipline, and that the business of picking the team should remain a sacred task of the autonomous selection committee, Caribbean Cricket.com said.

Controversy

It further went on to state that Gayle would be asked to take the job for the one-dayers and 20/20 tourna-ment, and Shiv Chanderpaul would be approached to be his deputy.

Aanensen has also been directed to discuss the issue with Ganga to try to make sure the controversy does not affect his leadership and performance in the final Test match against England.

A formal announcement would be made when these formalities were concluded, assuming Gayle and Chanderpaul accept, the website said.