The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has reappointed Chris Gayle as the West Indies captain for the tour of Australia, reports in the Caribbean said on Sunday.

Incidentally, the left-hander has been out of the international arena since India’s Caribbean tour in July, following a contractual dispute between the WICB the players. In the meantime, West Indies had fielded depleted teams under the leadership of Floyd Reifer.

Gayle had earlier said he was committed to lead the side if given the opportunity. “If I am asked to do the job I will be committed,” Gayle had said. “It is always an honour to captain the West Indies. I am always committed to do it. Support-wise the players have been really good and it shouldn’t be a problem. Once I am asked to do it, then, definitely.

“I am committed to whatever cricket I play. Once I step across the line I am 100 per cent committed. It doesn’t matter what kind of cricket we play.”

Former West Indies coach John Dyson said Gayle can return to captaincy on a stronger note. “I think Gayle will probably hold onto the captaincy, but it would be wise of the selectors to find out just how committed he is to it. He had a lot of learning to do in terms of leadership when he first took on the job, but I think he has the raw materials to be a good captain.

“Many of the things that have happened to the West Indies team haven’t been his fault. A lot of people would be tempted by the IPL and other leagues, and I think more and more players will let it be known that they are not totally committed to their teams. If Chris is committed to international cricket, I think he could yet be a good captain,” Dyson was quoted as saying to Cricinfo.

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