This was revealed at yesterday’s launching of the 2003 series at the Le Meridien Hotel by West Indies captain Brian Lara.

According to Lara, “To my knowledge, I don’t think it had anything to do with any double wicket tournament or anything like that. At present, the team selection group has certain criteria and this is the best 13 or 14 players that we got here in Guyana for the Test match.

Lara said he didn’t think it was a premature decision to omit Gayle although the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) had indicated that the robust left-hander was available. He however hoped that Gayle will make the second Test team, but emphasised that he wasn’t sure.

Gayle’s omission from the West Indies 14-man squad raised eyebrows around the Caribbean with many seemingly of the opinion that he was disciplined for participating in the double wicket tournament where he partnered sacked West Indies captain Carl Hooper.

The WICB had asked Gayle and the Jamaica Cricket Association to submit reports on the circumstances that led to Gayle’s non-selection for Jamaica for the Carib Beer final against Barbados.

Both parties have submitted their reports to the WICB. In a statement, released to the people of Jamaica and the Caribbean on Tuesday, Gayle pointed out that “if the basis for my non-selection was because it is felt I cannot contribute positively to the team then I must accept that decision and work on my game to re-earn and regain a spot on the team.”