Gayle to play for Somerset in Twenty20

West Indies’ star batsman Chris Gayle has agreed to play for Somerset in the domestic Twenty20 league if he is available.

Gayle said no to Somerset after initially agreeing to be their overseas player last year. But the 33-year-old made himself available for the West Indies summer tour that miffed the county.

This time Gayle, who plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has given the first refusal on his services to Somerset.

“He’s openly saying he would offer Somerset first refusal on his services in the shorter format,” Somerset chairman Andy Nash was quoted as saying by BBC.

Gayle has been the most sought after Twenty20 player and this week after he struck the fastest century in cricket history and also the highest individual score in Twenty20. The Jamaican struck a 66-ball unbeaten 175 against Pune Warriors in the IPL.

Last year Somerset were set for take Gayle to court after the cricketer turned his back on then despite agreeing. Gayle had agreed to play for Somerset during the phase when he had fallen out with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB). But once the issues with the board were settled, Gayle turned his back on the club.

“We could dig in and look to go down the legal route but thankfully good sense prevailed and we decided to take the longer term view. He very generously reciprocated by declaring himself a member of the Somerset family. That was a happy ending,” said Nash.