KINGSTON, July 31: Chris Gayle has confirmed that he handed in his resignation as captain last week but says he is currently in discussions with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

“We are currently in discussions with a view at arriving at a mutually beneficial agreement,” Gayle told the Jamaica Gleaner at a sponsor’s event. “Until then, I cannot say much. In fact, whether or not I am captain, my focus now is on the upcoming Canada and Pakistan tours, where I hope to perform well and help the team to victory.”

Gayle had reportedly sent his resignation letter to Donald Peters, the WICB chief executive, in the past few days. He had recently expressed his dissatisfaction with the selection committee.

“Based on the selection committee, there are some things I don’t have much control over at this point in time, regardless [of whether] I’m the captain or not,” Gayle had said.

Gayle has had strained relations with the WICB. In June last year he criticised the board over its arrangements for the ODI series in England and its initial decision to veto his appointment as one-day captain.

Gayle’s had mixed results as captain, winning two Tests out of five and seven ODIs out of 17. He led West Indies to two ODI series wins, including an away victory against England last year and against the touring Sri Lankans recently.

He presided over a surprise win in the first Test against South Africa in Johannesburg but his side went on to lose the next two games and the series. His other Test win came against Sri Lanka in Port-of-Spain to level the two-match series.—Agencies