Pay dispute: Gayle for Aussies

Chris Gayle is somewhat of an expert when it comes to talking about run-ins between cricket boards and players.

West Indies cricket plunged into a big row in 2011 after he was controversially left out. Gayle, 37, was since then seen as a Twenty20 mercenary who turned his back on his struggling regional team, but is considered more of a pioneer as he plies his high-octane game and personality in leagues around the world.

But ask the Jamaican about the current contract dispute between the Australian players and Cricket Australia, Gayle is both vindicated and surprised.

The surprise is because the dispute --- players insist on continuing with getting a percentage of CA’s revenue rather than agreeing to a mere salary hike --- has hit the Australian cricket machinery, unlike the Caribbean administration .

“Honestly, I’m surprised, but I have been in that kind of situation as well,” Gayle told HT. on Monday at the launch of lifestyle brand attiitude.com. “It goes to show players have started to realise what has been happening. Hopefully they put this thing right; this thing needs to be done. People come to watch them play the game as well. Players deserve their worth.

This is something I want all teams to be, the players should be satisfied about what they are earning.” There are reports that even India players are keen for their remuneration to be revised and could meet BCCI officials soon.

The Australian players’ standoff though is far more serious, and players such as skipper Smith, Warner and Starc could boycott the home Ashes series this year unless the issue is sorted out.