ROEBUCK SLAMS GAYLE'S RETURN AS WI CAPTAIN

SYDNEY, Australia (CMC) - Controversial international cricket correspondent Peter Roebuck has blasted Chris Gayle's reappointment as West Indies captain, slamming the move as "beyond comprehension".

Writing in the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, the British journalist said Gayle's modest record as captain and his role in the recent contracts impasse had disqualified him from taking up the post.

"Chris Gayle's nomination as West Indies captain for the coming tour Down Under is beyond comprehension," Roebuck wrote yesterday.

"Far from standing firm, the West Indies Cricket Board has capitulated in the most craven manner. Never mind that their captain and senior players have let them down badly and repeatedly.

"Never mind that Gayle's team was mauled in England or that a shadow side had unavoidably been sent to the Champions Trophy."

Roebuck also questioned the 29-year-old Jamaican's commitment, pointing to his late return from the Indian Premier League for the two-Test series in England earlier this year.

Gayle, who represents Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, created a stir when he returned less than 48 hours before the start of the first Test at Lord's back in May.

West Indies lost the match by 10 wickets inside three days and were also soundly beaten by an innings and 83 runs in the second Test at Chester-le-Street.

"Sympathisers say he cares about West Indian cricket. If so, he has a curious way of showing it," Roebuck continued.

"Appointed on a wing and a prayer by authorities desperate to stop the inexorable slide in West Indian cricket, the languid Jamaican has been a profound disappointment. If nothing else, his abject performance during last winter's Test series in England ought to have cost him his job.

"He lingered longer [in the IPL], played an extra match and arrived a couple of days before the series began. So much for leadership. So much for the tradition of West Indian cricket. So much for Test cricket."

Roebuck contended that Daren Ganga would have been a better choice for captain, especially against the backdrop of how he led the Trinidad & Tobago side at the Twenty20 Champions League.

"West Indian cricket's truest leader, Daren Ganga, a tactician with a proven record and an ability to unite his players, has not made the touring party," Roebuck lamented.

"Ganga has a modest record in Test cricket, but he does turn up and he does create a strong team culture of the sort West Indian cricket has been missing for decades."

While Roebuck acknowledged that Gayle's explosive batting could turn the three-Test series on its head, he said the WICB had missed the trick by returning to Gayle.

"Perhaps Gayle will set the series ablaze with brilliant batting. He has the capacity," Roebuck speculated.

"Perhaps his players will rally to the cause, whatever that may be. For now, it's hard to avoid thinking that an opportunity has been missed.

"West Indies have a powerful batting order and some handy pacemen, but it will count for nought unless the captain pulls his weight and then some. Australia cannot be beaten by the half-baked."

The Windies will leave for Australia next week where they will play Tests in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, starting November 26.