He’d rather he didn’t come back but Shane Watson says Australia can cope if West Indies opener Chris Gayle ends his international cricket exile.

Gayle watched from the stands as the Windies ended a six-year wait for a one-day victory over Australia at the Arnos Vale Cricket Ground in St Vincent on Sunday, with a five-wicket victory in game two of the five-match series.

And as the match progressed reports were circulating another long wait was about to come to an end for Windies fans with Gayle believed to have resolved his long-running dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board.

The explosive batsman hasn’t played international cricket since criticising coach Otis Gibson and the board after last year’s World Cup.

But if the reports of a resolution are true, Gayle could be back in the Windies line-up in time for the fourth and fifth matches of the series in St Lucia later this week.

“We’ve got to be,” Watson replied when asked if Australia was ready for a potential return by Gayle.

“I’ve played a lot of cricket against Chris and you always want to play against the best players. It’ll be a big challenge for him out there as well.

“In the end if he comes back in there’s no doubt he’ll certainly strengthen up the West Indian team. He’s a serious player.”

Never needing much of an excuse to party, Sunday’s win and the news about Gayle had the island nation of St Vincent and the Grenadines in a jubilant mood.

And that party will continue on Tuesday, with the prime minister of declaring a public holiday after Sunday’s match, to ensure another bumper crowd in Arnos Vale for the third ODI in the series.