Tallawahs’ turn at bat - Local CPL franchise responds to Chris Gayle’s recent criticisms about management
Published:Thursday | April 30, 2020 | 12:23 AMLennox Aldred/Gleaner Writer
THE JAMAICA Tallawahs Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise, owned by the Chris Persaud-led Worldwide Sports Management Group, has hit back at claims made by former captain Chris Gayle regarding his departure from the team.
On Monday, Gayle posted a series of confessional videos on his personal YouTube page, saying that he was victimised by the Tallawahs management, spearheaded by Chief Executive Officer Jeff Miller and assistant coach Ramnaresh Sarwan.
Gayle said that Sarwan was a key influence in him not being retained by the Tallawahs for this year’s CPL season and that the entire scenario has been politically motived, based on an incident that took place in Guyana in 2018.
In a media release yesterday, the Tallawahs refuted claims that Gayle’s omission was politically motivated, adding that assistant coach Ramnaresh Sarwan had no part to play in the decision.
“The ownership and management of the Jamaica Tallawahs was disappointed to see the comments made by Mr Christopher Gayle about his departure from the Tallawahs, as we would much rather have had these discussions in private,” the statement said.
“Mr Gayle gave several reasons for the decision that was made not to retain him in the Tallawahs. However, the truth is that this decision was made collectively by the ownership and management team, which did not include Mr Ramnaresh Sarwan, and based purely on business and cricketing reasoning.
“Further, the ownership and management of the Tallawahs has no political affiliation with any political organisation in any country of the Caribbean.”
WOEFUL SEASON
When The Gleaner first reported on Gayle not being retained by the Tallawahs on April 19, Tallawahs Chief Executive Officer Jeff Miller said then that there would have been changes to the management of the team following a woeful 2019 season, where the two-time champions finished in last place with just two wins from 10 games.
“The Tallawahs had a very disappointing season in CPL 2019, where the team finished last in the tournament,” the statement said. “The ownership and management team has exercised its rights in the selection of players for CPL 2020 for the betterment of the team.
“The ownership and management of the Tallawahs will not be making any further comments on this matter as we are focusing on building the team for the future.”
The latest saga is a myriad of changes that have unfolded at the Jamaica Tallawahs franchise, with Gayle heading to the St Lucia Zouks with Donovan Miller, who was the Tallawahs’ head coach last season. Manager Andrew Richardson has also switched franchises and will be on his way to the Barbados Tridents, while star all-rounder Andre Russell said this season will be his last with the Tallawahs.