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BVIFA announces CONCACAF squad �� Caribbean Life, MARCH 5-11, 2021 37 By Nelson A. King West Indies hard-hitting, opening batting star Chris Gayle is targeting a third Twenty20 world title, as he returns to West Indies colors for the first time since the 2019 World Cup, according to ESPNcricinfo. The online cricket publication said on Monday that Gayle is “willing to fulfil whatever role is asked of him in the team’s bid to retain the trophy in India this year.” Gayle, 41, has only ever opened the batting in T20I cricket and had almost exclusively batted at the top of the order in his franchise career before the start of the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL), ESPNcricinfo said. But after starting the tournament out of the Kings XI Punjab side, Gayle hit 395 runs in nine innings at No. 3 for the franchise, averaging 43.88 and striking at 144.16, ESPNcricinfo said. During a press conference in Antigua on Monday, two days West Indies’ Chris Gayle reacts after losing his wicket during a match against Afghanistan Headingley, Leeds, Britain on July 4, 2019. Action Images via Reuters / Lee Smith before the series opener against Sri Lanka, Gayle said that he was happy to bat wherever West Indies captain Kieron Pollard and head coach Phil Simmons asked him to, reported ESPNcricinfo. Gayle said he would be “the best in the world,” regardless of where he came in, according to ESPNcricinfo. Gayle is one of four openers in the 14-man squad, along with Evin Lewis, Lendl Simmons and Andre Fletcher. “It seems like I’m the No. 3 specialist now,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Gayle as joking. “It was a role that the coach, Anil Kumble, asked me to play. He did mention it before the IPL actually started, which I had no problem with.” By Nelson A. King In one of its most highly anticipated announcements, interim Head Coach of the British Virgin Islands Football Association (BVIFA) for the CONCACAF 1st Round Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup, Qatar 2022, Dan Neville, has announced a squad of 21 players for the two games to be played in Curacao later this month, reported 284media.com on Tuesday. “The upcoming World Cup qualifiers are another great learning opportunity for the squad and part of our strategic plan to create opportunities for our top performing young players,” Neville said.“We go into both games fully committed to being as competitive as we possibly can,” he added. “We cannot guarantee results, but we can guarantee we will be organized, show immense national pride, put sweat on the shirt and have ‘a never say die’ spirit.” The squad comprises: Phillip Jules, Daniel Gilford, William Butler, Kristian Javier, Giovanni Grant, Miguel Marshall, Jerry Wiltshire, T’Sharne Gallimore, Jamie Wilson, Joshua Bertie, Carlos Septus, Robbie Green, Tyler Forbes, Justin Smith, Luka Chalwell, Luca Reich, Liam Blok, Kevin Fisher-Daniel, Ikyjah Williams, T’Khoi Richardson and Charles Medway. “With Guatemala being 78 places ahead of the BVI in the FIFA rankings and St. Vincent 40 places ahead, the task is difficult,” 284media said. “But there is genuine belief amongst the squad that they can cause an upset.” The average age of the squad for the first two games is 20, 284media said. t said Richardson, Chalwell, Reich, Williams and Smith — all of whom started in the FA’s School Leagues — are making the senior squad for the first time. BVI will play against Guatemala on March 27, and against St. Vincent and the Grenadines on March 30.Both matches will be played at the Stadion Emilio Hato in Willemstad, Curacao, 284media said. Chris Gayle targets third T20 WC title �� /284media.com