Everyone in the Caribbean from heads of state to fans in the stand want Chris Gayle to be recalled to the West Indies team – just not those selecting the team.

The belligerent opener hasn’t played international cricket since speaking out about the organisation of the game in the region after last year’s World Cup.

Jamaican prime minister Portia Simpson Miller has called for a meeting with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to resolve the matter while former skipper Clive Lloyd said last week the board need to be reined in.

Those missing Gayle the most – the fans – made their feelings clearly known as the West Indies capitulated in stunning style to Australia in Friday’s first one-day international at the Arnos Vale Cricket Ground in St Vincent.

The home team lost six wickets for seven runs on their way to being dismissed for 140 to lose by 64 runs, all while a chorus of “we want Gayle” rang out from the stands.

Windies captain Darren Sammy said the dispute was none of his business but he could understand fans’ frustration.

“Gayle’s matter is definitely not in my hands,” Sammy said.

“We all know what the issue is and it’s at the board level.

“The crowd, it’s a free country, everybody’s welcome to voice their opinions.”

Expect those opinions to be voiced louder and louder unless Sammy’s charges can bring a reversal of fortune in Sunday’s second one-dayer to end a losing streak in the 50-over format of the game against Australia which stretches back to the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy.

“We’ve got to bounce back,” Sammy said.

“Sunday’s another day. We know how the pitch plays so we’ve just got to go out there and be more responsible.”