KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – West Indies Cricket Board officials have decided to cut contact with Dinanath Ramnarine, head of the regional players’ union, WIPA, until his conduct at meetings with the regional governing body improves.
This is one of the key decisions directors of the WICB have taken at their meeting in the Jamaica capital this weekend.
The WICB said in a media release that it would continue to treat WIPA with “the highest degree of respect and as a principal partner in West Indies cricket”, and were willing to continue to engage the organization on matters pertaining to the players.
“Given Dinanath Ramnarine’s threatening action towards the WICB Chief Executive Officer [Ernest Hilaire], and the unprofessional conduct of Ramnarine during a recent meeting on June, 14, the Board will no longer engage with Ramnarine on any issue unless there is a change in his behaviour and conduct,” stated a WICB media release.
The WICB’s action stems from last Tuesday’s meeting here between its management staff and West Indies team management, and embattled West Indies batsman Chris Gayle and WIPA.
“It is the Board’s stated view that Ramnarine has not demonstrated any willingness to constructively dialogue with the WICB in the best interest of West Indies cricket,” stated the WICB media release.
“The Board has directed management to communicate with WIPA to this effect.”
The WICB also said management had updated the directors about outstanding issues with Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, and Sulieman Benn.
“Management reported. . .that the attempts to discuss and resolve issues with Chris Gayle (as it pertains to his behaviour over the past months) ended inconclusively,” stated the media release.
“The WICB Management will continue efforts to resolve the issues with Gayle.”
Chanderpaul, who has been chosen in the squad for the first Test against India, starting on Monday at Sabina Park here, had also run afoul of the regional governing body, following a radio interview in which he was highly critical of team and WICB management officials.
“WICB Management met with Shivnarine Chanderpaul on Saturday, June 18, in what was a fruitful and productive meeting regarding his future involvement in West Indies cricket,” stated the media release.
Sulieman Benn however, has not been selected since the team returned from the World Cup, and it’s the first time that the WICB has officially indicated that they have issues with the beanpole spinner’s conduct.
“WICB Management will continue to engage Sulieman Benn in an attempt to resolve issues relating to his discipline and behaviour,” stated the media release.
