BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Joel Garner believes that the dissenting West Indies players who withdrew from the recent home series against Bangladesh should start asking some serious questions of the West Indies Players’ Association.
The President of the Barbados Cricket Association and West Indies Cricket Board director feels that all of the players that have signed on to WIPA need more guidance in understanding their contracts, and more information about what the WICB is really offering to them.
“They should start to ask their representatives some questions to find out what is happening,” said Garner in a wide-ranging interview on CBC Radio here.
“As one of the men involved in WIPA from my playing days, we had a way of giving information to everybody else, so that they can make a decision. They have had no meetings, except to say that we are not going to play, and they do not ask the right questions.”
Garner was also sickened by the behaviour of a number of people who caused the players that took part in the recent home series against Bangladesh sleepless nights.
“It is a fact that the players were awoken at all hours of the night,” the former West Indies fast bowler said. “They were constantly cursed and bombarded, and you cannot expect the players to go out and perform under those conditions.
“Those players had some sleepless nights.. All I would say is that if you have withdrawn your services, let the others who want to play go out, and perform, and represent the region.
Garner also disclosed his concern that several players had signed away their image and intellectual property rights to a third party which locked them into contracts with onerous terms and conditions.
He noted that several young players – even at the Under-19 level – had been asked to sign these types of agreements, and had done so not knowing the consequences.
The former Barbados captain felt it was not beneficial to the system, since it also robbed clubs and national associations of their investment in the players.
“Nine out of 10 times, they are signing away 10 years out of their lives, and if at the end of the 10-year period, within three months of the termination, the person reserves the right to roll over their rights for another five years,” he said.
“Now the clubs do not benefit. The country does not benefit. There are legal people available that these players can use instead of signing a contract and not knowing what they are signing.”
