Dolphins re-sign Gayle for T20s

Dolphins have re-signed West Indies batsman Chris Gayle for South Africa's 2013-14 domestic T20 competition. They had reportedly signed Gayle for R1 million for the 2011-12 season, but he left with an injury, not playing a single match.

Gayle said he was looking forward to the season to complete the "unfinished business" he had with Dolphins. "I am really excited to have joined the Sunfoil Dolphins for their 2014 Ram Slam T20 campaign. I feel there's some unfinished business for me as I didn't get to play for them back in 2012 due to injury. They've got a great list of players so hopefully we'll be in contention at the business end of the tournament.  I'm very much looking forward to working with Lance Klusener and the rest of the guys."

Lance Klusener, the head coach of Dolphins, said he was looking forward to having "the biggest gun on the planet at our disposal", while Kwazulu Natal Cricket Union (KZNCU) CEO Jesse Chellan was also excited to have Gayle back. "It is exciting to have Chris join the Sunfoil Dolphins for the T20 competition," Chellan said. "He is a truly world-class performer and a cricketing superstar. Together with [England's] Graham Onions, he becomes our second overseas professional for this competition."

Dolphins had signed Onions recently for the whole season, and will hope he and Gayle beef up the squad that includes other international-level players such as David Miller and Kyle Abbott.

Dolphins finished second from bottom in the previous season of the Ram Slam T20 Challenge, with only two wins from 10 matches.

With Gayle's West Indies team-mate Sunil Narine - arguably the most in-demand T20 spinner in world cricket at the moment - with Cape Cobras for the next season, Cricket South Africa will hope their T20 competition is a more high-profile affair this time.