PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Regional players union, WIPA, says it welcomes the news that CARICOM is looking to intervene in the ongoing dispute between estranged Jamaican opener Chris Gayle and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

In a statement yesterday, WIPA said it viewed the move with "considerable optimism" and thanked CARICOM for deciding to play an active role in the impasse.

"WIPA is pleased that CARICOM has heeded the call by Chris Gayle to intervene. Chris made a telling point which we see that the heads of government have picked up," said WIPA president and CEO Dinanath Ramnarine.

"West Indies cricket is bigger than the WICB. West Indies cricket belongs to the people of the region and not a minuscule group of administrators who want to dictate to everyone.

"We fully support the move and will do all we can to make it succeed in its desire to put our cricket on a firmer foundation."

CARICOM chairman, Dr Denzil Douglas, announced on Sunday that the prime ministerial sub-committee on cricket would be revived in an attempt to broker a solution in the stand-off that has seen Gayle repeatedly overlooked for selection for the ongoing India series.

an impassioned plea

The announcement came after Gayle made an impassioned plea last Friday for the regional heads of government to get involved.

His appeal was backed by Guyana's President Bharrat Jagdeo who on Saturday criticised the WICB for acting as if they were the "private owners of West Indian cricket."

Gayle has been at loggerheads with the WICB ever since he gave a highly controversial interview to a Jamaican radio station in April, where he was highly critical of the board.

Ramnarine pledged WIPA's full cooperation with the CARICOM sub-committee.