The West Indies Cricket Board has reacted angrily to Chris Gayle's outburst against it,saying the explosive batsman was "antagonistic and unrepentant" during meetings called to sort out differences with him. The WICB's reaction came after Gayle called the body a "sham and a mockery" and accused it's chief Ernest Hilaire of trying to destroy his career. But the WICB rejected his claims. "The WICB reiterates its stated position,that there is a history of difficulty in communicating with and relating to Mr Gayle and wishes to bring this matter to a resolution; but from his latest statement and his expressed views in the meetings with the WICB it would appear as though he is of the unshakeable view that he has conducted himself impeccably," the WICB said in a statement. "The WICB insists that his conduct cannot simply be swept under the carpet as is the apparent desire of Mr Gayle," it added. However,the Board has also refused to shut the door on Gayle just yet. "As previously communicated to Mr Gayle,the WICB wishes to ensure that Mr Gayle's services remain available to West Indies cricket,but not at any cost and not on his inflexible take-it-or-leave it terms," the statement said. "There must be mutual respect and a commitment to put West Indies cricket first. The WICB has written to Gayle making it clear that it is willing to seek a compromise resolution. Gayle's position is that he has nothing to account for and expects to be automatically reinstated to the West Indies team whenever he decides that he is available," it added. The WICB said it was Gayle who was being inflexible in his approach. "Even though at a follow up meeting between Mr Gayle and the team management,the head coach indicated what was required to assist in his return to the West Indies team,Gayle has refused and has demonstrated no inclination to compromise; instead he has been antagonistic and unrepentant in the entire process," it said. The dispute originally started when Gayle accused WICB of leaving him fend for himself during injury problems in a radio interview. The Board eventually dropped him from the team and despite a couple of meetings to sort out the differences,the two parties have remained at loggerheads.
