Chris Gayle - File

Unlike their colleague, Daren Powell, West Indies players Christopher Gayle and Jerome Taylor steered clear of comments on this month's ICC Champions Trophy, which will be held in England.

The duo, who along with former West Indies pacer, Kenny Benjamin, led a cadre of local coaches during the just-completed Jamaica leg of Digicel's annual cricket clinics, were excluded from the Champions Trophy squad after being a part of a player boycott of Bangladesh's recent tour of the Caribbean.

"I have no comment on that matter right now," said Gayle, who, as captain, led the boycott, along with West Indies Players Association (WIPA) president, Dinanath Ramnarine.

Dismissive of the matter

Taylor, who like Gayle, presented awards and certificates to 24 of the country's top Under-15 cricketers who participated in the clinic, was equally dismissive of the matter when asked how they felt about being left out of the team.

"I have nothing to say about that. I have nothing to say," Taylor said.

But while Taylor and Gayle are refusing to comment on the matter, fast bowler Daren Powell, who was selected to the squad, but has since pulled out due to injury, says he wished the team well albeit he does not expect them to win the tournament.

"Let's put it this way, they are upcoming players and will be going there for the experience. We wish them well," said Powell while speaking on a radio talk show Monday night.

The West Indies team will be led Floyd Reifer. The team which includes players who decided not to participate in the player boycott against the Bangladesh, will open their Champions Trophy campaign against Pakistan on Wednesday, September 23.

They will then play Australia on Saturday, September 26, before closing out against India on Wednesday, September 30.

West Indies squad: Reifer, Ryan Austin, Daren Sammy, David Bernard, Tino Best, Royston Crandon, Travis Dowlin, Andre Fletcher, Nikita Miller, Chadwick Walton (WK), Daren Powell, Kieran Powell, Dale Richards, Kemar Roach, Devon Smith, Gavin Tonge.