Gayle playing Test sends wrong message to youngsters: Ambrose

West Indies pace great Curtly Ambrose is livid with Chris Gayle's decision to end his international career by playing a Test match, calling it a retrograde step that will send a wrong message to youngsters in the island nations.

After a 125-run defeat to India knocked West Indies out of the World Cup, Ambrose, who is in England doing radio commentary, also seemed unhappy with the "lack of application and clarity of thought" in their youngsters.

Asked about Gayle going back on his retirement plans and instead playing one last Test against India, Ambrose made no bones about what he thought of the dashing Jamaican's decision.

"If Chris Gayle wants to play an ODI series or a T20 series, well, that's not a problem. In terms of Test matches for me is a no no," Ambrose told PTI during an exclusive interview.

"Gayle hasn't played Test matches for five years. There you go... Bringing him back for one Test, I think, is a backward step. What kind of message are you sending to the younger players? ODIs and T20s are not a problem as he still is a destructive player but Test matches, no, definitely not," said the fearsome fast bowler of the 1980s and 90s, who took 405 wickets in 98 Tests.

While he didn't agree with Gayle's change of mind, he also couldn't accept the manner in which West Indies' campaign went on a downward spiral after the first game against Pakistan.

"Firstly, it's their lack of application and secondly they are not thinking enough about their cricket," the 6 feet 8 inch Antiguan didn't mince words.

"It has got nothing to do with their skills because from time to time we have seen very good skills on display as they have looked a very good team. In my opinion, the two things that have brought about West Indies' downfall are the thought process and lack of application. It's as simple as that."
"They should represent the West Indies and also play for different franchises around the world."
"We still have enough players who can do well in red ball cricket. Not so long ago, we beat England in the Caribbean in a Test series, right? We drew with them in ODIs. So it's not that we don't have enough talent and I will keep saying that show some patience and application, they can do much better."