BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Under-fire West Indies Cricket Board president, Dave Cameron, has pushed back on recent widespread criticism of his leadership, and says he has always acted in the best interest of West Indies cricket.
Cameron, who was elected to the top post three years and successfully gained re-election last year, said much of the criticism he had received was “absurd” and argued he would be eventually vindicated by history.
The Jamaican has been fending off criticism ever since captain Darren Sammy during a post-match interview blasted the WICB for “disrespecting” the players, after West Indies won the Twenty20 World Cup in India last Sunday.
“I am not here to destroy the game. We just won three World titles and the feeling is I want to mash it up,” Cameron told the Nation newspaper here.
“I can’t believe some of the criticism I am receiving. It is absurd. My heart is with the Caribbean 100 per cent. I am a Caribbean man. I am for the good of West Indies cricket.”
Cameron’s tenure has been embroiled in controversy ever since the West Indies one-day side controversially walked off the tour of India, over a pay dispute with the board and players union, WIPA.
Cameron copped blame for not doing enough to solve the dispute and the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) subsequently said it held the WICB responsible.
St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, said Cameron had “embarrassed us before the world” and called on him to step down.
Cameron also came in for criticism for his controversial tweet regarding superstar opener Chris Gayle’s form during last year’s World Cup and again found himself in trouble on the online social network, Twitter, last week when he appeared to lash out at Sammy for his post-match criticisms of the board.
Cameron argued his most recent tweet had been misunderstood.
“I have had a lot of criticism about a tweet that has gone on my timeline. Go to my timeline and look,” he said.
“There are motivational tweets on my timeline every day. Why could someone not used that tweet to say I was saying to Darren Sammy and Marlon Samuels to do not let the critics get to you.
“I have also tweeted to Darren Sammy and Stafanie Taylor wishing them luck. History will be kind to me. I will be vindicated.”
The WICB and the players clashed over pay prior to the start of the T20 World Cup and with the two parties seemingly on another collision course, Cameron said he was open to “meet with anyone” in order to find a solution.
“I am very straightforward. I am prepared to meet with anyone and discuss the way forward,” he stressed.
“I know what I am about. I have been the president of a cricket club in Jamaica for the last 16 years and a member for 32 years.”
