Sir Viv Richards has lashed out at Chris Gayle for his recent remark on Sir Curtly Ambrose after the West Indies fast-bowling great recently questioned the hard-hitting batter’s selection in the national squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, starting on October 17 in the UAE and Oman.
Recently, Ambrose had said that “Gayle is definitely not an automatic choice for starting” in the T20 World Cup 2021 while highlighting the veteran batter’s poor form lately, as the 'Universe Boss' has just scored 227 runs in 16 T20Is, averaging 17.46 this year.
Ambrose's words didn’t go down well with Gayle and he went on to say that he “has no respect” for Ambrose – which left Richards disappointed with the latter, saying “Sir Curtly has earned the right to speak” while suggested the big-hitter improve his performance instead of targeting others.
Richards told The Daily Observer Sports, “It's Curly's honest opinion and he's entitled to that and he is just as much as an achiever as Chris Gayle at the highest level. So when you hear it's coming from an individual who would have also been an achiever and being a legend in the department of the sport we would have represented, you must have respect for that too.”
He further added, “If I was Chris, the best positive way I would look at it would be to set my mind on what I would like to accomplish because it is just not Curtly because there are so many folks who would have had their criticisms about Gayle.”
Earlier, Ambrose had said on a radio show in Barbados: “For me, Gayle is definitely not an automatic choice for starting. When you look at his exploits over the last 18 months, he has struggled not only for the West Indies, but other T20 franchises. The few home series we played, he hasn't had any scores of significance.”
Later, Gayle hit back at Ambrose by saying, “When I just joined the team, I looked up to this man (Ambrose). But I am now speaking from my heart. I don't know what, since he retired, he had against Chris Gayle. Those negative things he has been saying within the press, I don't know if he is looking for attention, but he is getting the attention.”
He concluded, “So, I am just giving back the attention which he requires and which he needs. I can tell you personally, and you can let him know that Chris Gayle, the Universe Boss, has no respect for Curtly Ambrose whatsoever.”
(With IANS Inputs)
