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And even as the world trumpeted the news that both Sammy and coach Ottis Gibson embraced Gayle's expected return to the fold, I am not for a moment deceived by their tongue-in-cheek civilities.
Clearly under pressure consequent to the pervasive attention the saga has attracted over time, not least from the English press, the duo had little choice but to be diplomatic in their comments.
However, while Gibson's maturity ensured a successful veiling of utterances, the less skilled and experienced Sammy let slip his emotions by alluding to the new "work ethic" existing in the Windies camp, and the need for Gayle to conform hence.
"It's great to hear that Chris is available again. I'm sure the selectors will pick him because he's world-class. He's the best one-day batsman in the world," Gibson fended.
On the other hand, implicit in Sammy's words was the possibility of a Gayle-induced interruption of the current flow of the squad, consistent with the contentious talk of "donmanship" in the team of the not-too-distant past.
Said Sammy: "The Chris Gayle issue has been going on for a while... but we as a team have moved on. When Chris joins the set-up, he will be coming into a very hard-working environment which he has to fit into."
Sammy saved himself, however, by stating that Gayle's entry into the squad should be quite smooth as "he is the best one-day batsman in the world, so I don't think it will be a problem at all".
On the surface, one would have thought that Gayle was a rookie player with little idea of what it means to play international cricket. This is ironic as Gayle is Sammy's predecessor as captain — when the latter was a mere fringe player — and would, presumably, be au fait with the necessary protocol.
As to the atmosphere in the dressing room when, I assume, Gayle returns to the fold for the one-day series starting in June, I would dearly love to be a fly on the wall.
For, as I see, it, Gayle's return is by mere default consequent to public pressure. I daresay, the powers that be are less than overjoyed.
Clearly under pressure consequent to the pervasive attention the saga has attracted over time, not least from the English press, the duo had little choice but to be diplomatic in their comments.
However, while Gibson's maturity ensured a successful veiling of utterances, the less skilled and experienced Sammy let slip his emotions by alluding to the new "work ethic" existing in the Windies camp, and the need for Gayle to conform hence.
"It's great to hear that Chris is available again. I'm sure the selectors will pick him because he's world-class. He's the best one-day batsman in the world," Gibson fended.
On the other hand, implicit in Sammy's words was the possibility of a Gayle-induced interruption of the current flow of the squad, consistent with the contentious talk of "donmanship" in the team of the not-too-distant past.
Said Sammy: "The Chris Gayle issue has been going on for a while... but we as a team have moved on. When Chris joins the set-up, he will be coming into a very hard-working environment which he has to fit into."
Sammy saved himself, however, by stating that Gayle's entry into the squad should be quite smooth as "he is the best one-day batsman in the world, so I don't think it will be a problem at all".
On the surface, one would have thought that Gayle was a rookie player with little idea of what it means to play international cricket. This is ironic as Gayle is Sammy's predecessor as captain — when the latter was a mere fringe player — and would, presumably, be au fait with the necessary protocol.
As to the atmosphere in the dressing room when, I assume, Gayle returns to the fold for the one-day series starting in June, I would dearly love to be a fly on the wall.
For, as I see, it, Gayle's return is by mere default consequent to public pressure. I daresay, the powers that be are less than overjoyed.
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