NEW DELHI, India CMC- The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) says there is “no threat” to India’s ongoing home series against West Indies despite a bitter pay dispute between the visiting cricketers and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA).
BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel says matches will be played as scheduled after West Indies cricketers threatened strike action hours away from the first of the five One Day International (ODI) against India.
“I want to clarify that there is no threat to the India versus West Indies series. The matches will go on as per schedule,” said BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel.
“In fact, I have spoken to a few officials from the WICB and have got assurance that there will be no disruption.”
The players have protested the new terms of WIPA’s CBA/MOU deal with the WICB, arguing that the new agreement has reduced their income and that their Test, ODI and Twenty20 fees had been decreased by 75 per cent.
They also claim that their International Cricket Council fees have been decreased by “close to 100 per cent” and that they would not be compensated for the use of their rights under the new deal.
“I got an e-mail from WICB chairman Dave Cameron, who thanked BCCI for playing a pro-active role,” said Patel.
“Look, our job was to ensure that the series is run smoothly. This series of three Tests, five ODIs and a T20 International was chalked during the FTP calender of 2007-08.”
WIPA’s President Wavell Hind has dismissed the players’ claims as false and says the new agreement reflects a 15 percent across the board increase in match fees and retainer contracts that range from 12.5% to 25%, along with the introduction of two new contract categories.
Patel has given the assurance that the BCCI will be happy to help the WICB mediate their dispute with WIPA once the series ends.
“Futures Tour Programme (FTP) is sacrosanct and all the member nations must abide by it. You cannot disrespect what was decided in FTP calendar,” he said.
“I told them that there isn’t a problem that can’t be sorted out across the table. If WICB wants, we can mediate once the series ends. These players are good boys and they know their duty.”
