Gayle reaches agreement with West Indies Cricket Board

MUMBAI: West Indian power hitter Chris Gayle has finally reached a compromise agreement with the nation?s cricket governing body WICB (West Indies Cricket Board) that was brokered by socio-economic organisation, Caribbean Community.

The agreement though comes with a rider that he is honour-bound to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the English Friends Provident Twenty20 league this season that might make his comeback to the national difficult.

"The Board was advised that Mr Chris Gayle has signed the Caricom-brokered agreement, but with a ?side letter? from Mr Gayle," the WICB said in a release.

"Prime Minister, the Honourable Dr Ralph Gonsalves, provided a copy of Mr Gayle?s ?side letter?. The matter was discussed and the Board will respond to the Honourable Prime Minister shortly," it said.

Earlier this year, the 32-year-old Jamaican signed a new deal with IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore to play in this year?s edition. He has also inked a one-year deal with Somerset to play in the Friends Provident League.

In April last year, Gayle had criticised West Indies Cricket Board and coach Ottis Gibson which resulted in his ouster from the team and has not played for the team since. However, Gayle?s reputation as a big hitter saw him being invited to play for various Twenty20 tournaments like Bangladesh Premier League and Big Bash League.