Ramnaresh Sarwan (left) and Chris Gayle. - file

bridgetown, barbados (cmc)

Chris Gayle has revealed that he received a congratulatory call from teammate and one-time skipper Ramnaresh Sarwan on his appointment as captain of the West Indies team for the imminent home series against Sri Lanka.

"I heard from Sarwan. He called me and congratulated me and we talked, and so on," Gayle told CMC Sports yesterday, as the Jamaica team of which he is also captain prepared for their top-of-the-table fifth round Carib Beer Cup match against defending champions Barbados at Kensington Oval.

Ironic

Sarwan and Gayle have led West Indies at one time or another since ace batsman Brian Lara retired from international cricket last year following the World Cup in the Caribbean.

Ironically, serious injuries have dogged both experienced batsmen and prevented them from completing a full Test series as captain. Guyanese Sarwan, who took over from Lara, sustained an injury on the tour of England during the second match of the four-Test series.

Gayle was sidelined with a torn hamstring and broken thumb after the second match of the three-Test series on the recent tour to South Africa, which Sarwan was also forced to miss.

Plenty of debate

Since then, there has been plenty debate on the likely West Indies captain but Gayle, who was appointed on Wednesday, stressed that he and Sarwan enjoyed an excellent relationship.

"There is no noise between us or anything like that. This thing won't affect us or get between us. But he did call me and I appreciate that. He called me and shared his views and congratulated me, and so forth," Gayle said.

West Indies play two Tests and three one-day internationals against Sri Lanka, beginning later this month.