Viv Richards hits out at Chris Gayle after the latter’s stern words for Curtly Ambrose

Former West Indies cricketer Viv Richards has come down hard on Chris Gayle after the latter criticised veteran fast bowler Curtly Ambrose. Earlier, Ambrose, one of their lethal pacers during his heydays, questioned Gayle’s selection in the Caribbean team for the T20 World Cup in the UAE.

The retired speedster said that Gayle hasn’t performed to expectations in recent times and shouldn’t be an automatic choice for the mega event, starting Sunday, October 17. Thereafter, the 42-year-old Gayle lashed out, saying he doesn’t have any respect left for Ambrose.

Richards, in the meantime, backed Ambrose and said that the latter had every right to put forth his opinions. The legendary batter also asked Gayle to respect Ambrose’s opinion and not let the criticism ruffle him going into the multi-nation tournament.

Chris is still a pretty good player, says Viv Richards  

“It’s Curtly’s honest opinion and he is entitled to that and he is just as much as an achiever as Chris Gayle at the highest level and you should have respect for that. So, when you hear it’s coming from an individual who would have also been an achiever and being a legend in the department of the sport we would have represented, you must have respect for that too,” Richards told Daily Observer.

“If I was Chris, the best positive way I could look at it would be to set my mind on what I would like to accomplish because it is not just Curtly. There are so many folks who would have had their criticisms about Chris being in the team. Chris is still a pretty good player in my opinion and at this point, that particular criticism must be used as a motivator,” he added.

In 2021, the Jamaica-born Gayle has had a tough time in the T20I format. In 16 games, the left-hander has scored only 227 runs at an average of 17.46, much lower than his career average of 29.42.

His only knock of substance came in July when he fetched the Player of the Match award against Australia following his 38-ball 67 at Gros Islet. Gayle is 146 runs short of becoming the first Caribbean batter to 2,000 T20I runs.