West Indies and Jamaica cricketer Chris ‘Universe Boss’ Gayle slammed Tallawahs’ CEO Jeff Miller and former West Indies teammate-turned assistant coach Ramnaresh Sarwan, after not being retained by the local franchise.
The Jamaica Tallawahs assistant coach responded to the accusations, saying “I categorically deny any involvement in the decision or the decision-making process, which led to Gayle‘s non-selection to represent the Jamaica Tallawahs in the 2020 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Tournament,” in a statement on Facebook.
The batsman had made a slew of allegations against franchise executives, and the former Guyana international player in a series of videos posted to YouTube, including statements saying “Sarwan, you’re a snake. You’re a snake, Sarwan… Nobody like you in your own country. You are so vindictive. You are so immature… When are you planning to change?”
Gayle theorises that his ousting from the Tallawahs came about after he was given a tour of a community by a prominent Guyanese official.
The Tallawahs franchise responded that the decision to not retain Gayle was made solely by the ownership and management team, adding that Sarwan played no part in the decision. The release added “further, the ownership and management of the Tallawahs have no political affiliation with any political organization in any country of the Caribbean.”
Gayle, in one video, reflected on Sarwan being deceitful and “carrying news” decades ago.
“You allowed the management staff to send me home from Barbados,” explaining that Sarwan complained that he was being disturbed by him (Gayle) “watching TV too late” while on tour, when they were youth players.
The batsman also remarked that Sarwan always had his sights set on being head coach and manager at the Tallawahs from the outset. “You want the Jamaica Tallawahs for yourself. See you have it deh now… You’re the big boss… Run the show!”
As for now, Gayle is headed to the St Lucia Zouks when, and if, the Caribbean Premier League resumes.
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