Gayle has not represented the West Indies in over a year

West Indian captain Darren Sammy, has revealed that he has no problem if Chris Gayle were to make his Test return in the current England series.

Sammy, along with the rest of his West Indian squad were defeated by five wickets in the first Test at Lord’s, and are looking to win the next two Tests in order to upset the top ranked Test nation.

Chris Gayle has just finished playing in this year’s edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), but has not represented his country in more than a year since having a heated dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

However, earlier this month, Gayle announced that he would not be playing for Somerset in the upcoming England Twenty20 domestic tournament, in order to make himself available for selection into the West Indies squad.

Since Gayle was not chosen to be part of the Test squad, many people are expecting him to make his international comeback in the ODI and Twenty20 series against England next month.

Gayle’s fragile relationship with the WICB makes it highly unlikely that he is going to be part of the Test squad for the current series, but Darren Sammy refused to rule him out of the series completely.

Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports, Sammy said: “Whatever happens outside this squad takes its own course, whoever comes in we will welcome them into the team and hopefully they will help. It is up to the selectors to select the team.”

Without Gayle in the lineup, the West Indies twice suffered a top order collapse at in the first Test at Lord’s.

Sammy believes the flamboyant left-hand opener can be a huge asset to the team and would be welcomed by all, especially West Indian coach Ottis Gibson.

“I think Chris has said he is available for Test cricket, one-day cricket and T20 so it is up to the selectors, we have been having some difficulties at the top of the order and if he comes in we would all welcome him, myself, Ottis and all the guys,” Sammy said.

With the second Test at Trent Bridge just over the horizon, Sammy and the rest of the selection panel are considering including specialist spinner Shane Shillingford into the squad.

“Shane was experiencing a bit of difficulty gripping the ball but in the course of this Test match, he has done some work and hopefully his fingers will be warm enough and ready for him to play for us in the next match,” Sammy said.

“He played a crucial role in the last series and once he is ready to master the cold, we will have him in,” Sammy added.