BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Media reports indicate that the International Cricket Council has been putting pressure on the West Indies Cricket Board to send their elite players to the Champions Trophy in South Africa.
A news report on the Cricinfo website indicated that the ICC seems willing to accept a “revised” line-up if the industrial relations dispute between the WICB and the players is resolved.
The website reported that the ICC has advised the WICB it would consider the revamping of the squad exceptional circumstances, and allow the revolting West Indies players to take their place in the competition.
Both the ICC and its broadcast partner, ESPN STAR Sports, have impressed upon the WICB their desire for a full-strength West Indies team to take part in the competition in South Africa.
“We would be disappointed if the best team is not taken to South Africa, but we understand the complex situation that exists,” ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat told Cricinfo. “The West Indies have the unfettered right to select whomever they choose.”
Both the ICC and ESPN STAR Sports were desirous of having the best players available from all the teams because of the lack of interest in the Champions Trophy over the years.
West Indies have already sent the depleted squad to South Africa, where they have played two practice matches against provincial sides, winning one and losing one.
It would logistically be a nightmare for West Indies if they have to recall the side that has already travelled to South Africa under the leadership of Floyd Reifer.
Apart from the costs and the arrangements that would have to be put in place, it would also prove to be a psychological blow to the returning players.
But an agreement between the two sides still seem far away, after WICB director Dave Cameron seem to suggest that the regional governing body may fail to cosy-up to the recommendations of CARICOM’s Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on Cricket.
“The first line in CARICOM’s communiqué is something I’d like to emphasise,” said Cameron on a CBC Radio talk show in Barbados.
“The management of West Indies cricket is the prerogative of the WICB. I commend Caricom for having that foresight. . .Recommendations are just recommendations.”
CARICOM intervened in the bitter contracts dispute between, when it rolled out a six-point plan in a bid to end the long-running feud that has crippled the regional game.
The move comes following the breakdown last week of mediation talks headed by eminent Caribbean diplomat Sir Shridath Ramphal.
Under the CARICOM proposal, players will be expected to “make themselves available for selection in accordance with normal WICB requirements, in particular, participation in the regional tournaments”.
Secondly, the WICB is “to agree to the television/image rights fees (sponsors’ fees) traditionally paid to players pending the special arbitration on this issue to facilitate the signing of retainer contracts by October 1, 2009”.
Thirdly, the WICB and WIPA are to agree on the implementation of the “special arbitration process provided for in the mediator’s draft agreement, i.e. on team rights and the India tour”.
Additionally, the two bodies are to agree to the “best efforts by the CARICOM Secretariat in the first instance to facilitate the resolution of the other outstanding issues proposed by WICB and WIPA, or the pursuit of arbitration if necessary, such arbitration not to delay the return of West Indies cricket to normalcy”.
Also, CARICOM will convene a Stakeholders meeting “at the earliest practicable date to discuss the future of West Indies cricket, taking account of the WICB’s Development Plan, as well as the Report of the Patterson Committee established by WICB”.
CARICOM also indicated that the WICB would be expected to inform cricket’s world governing body, the International Cricket Council of “the action taken by Caribbean Governments with the object of returning West Indies cricket to its accustomed place in world cricket in consonance with the highest traditions of the sport as upheld by the ICC”.
Finally, the PMSC on Cricket said it would “monitor compliance with the above agreed measures based on periodic reports from the CARICOM Secretariat”.
