MIAMI, (Reuters) – The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) scrambled to get a team together for the first test against Bangladesh starting today after the selected players decided to boycott the match due to contract disputes.
A 15-man squad, captained by 36-year-old Floyd Reifer, whose last of four test appearances was over 10 years ago, features 16-year-old Barbadian batsman Kraigg Brathwaite who, if he plays would become the youngest West Indian test player.
None of the original 13 players selected for the match, prior to the West Indies Players Association announcing their withdrawal from the Bangladesh series, have been named.
Darren Sammy, selected as vice-captain, is the only player in the squad to have been a regular member of the West Indies set up in the past year.
West Indies Cricket Board president Julian Hunte declined yesterday to comment on the recruitment of players but said there had been “a lot of intimidation of players”.
The WICB chief declined to comment on who had carried out the intimidation or give any details about which players had been approached.
Tino Best, the 27-year-old Barbados pace bowler, who last featured in a test match in 2005, was in the squad along with fellow Bajan, opening batsman Dale Richards who has narrowly missed out on test appearances.
But the bulk of players are debutants with only regional cricket experience including Brathwaite who was flown in from a regional under-19 tournament in Jamaica.
Jamaican fast bowler Daren Powell, not included in the selected 13, said yesterday he had been approached by the board to play but had turned down the chance.
“I was contacted by the West Indies board but I told them I was not available this time,” Powell told Reuters.
The West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) announced on Tuesday the test squad, captained by Chris Gayle, had withdrawn from the series with immediate effect.
The WIPA said they were owed payments for recent games and that the players have performed in the last four series without contracts.
“Heading home. Sorry to all the cricket fans. This is the last thing we want to happen to the game. Need respect and stop taking us for granted,” Gayle said on his Twitter feed.
The WICB said the boycott was “extremely ill advised and premature” and said it considered negotiations with the WIPA were ongoing.
West Indies squad – Floyd Reifer (captain), Darren Sammy, Ryan Austin, Tino Best, David Bernard, Kraigg Brathwaite, Andre Creary, Travis Dowlin, Nikita Miller, Kevin McClean, Nelon Pascal, Omar Phillips, Dale Richards, Kemar Roach, Chadwick Walton.
ohh what a shame when money can get in between such a lovely sport.The WICB AND WIPA are destroying WI cricket.They have proven that even at an international level they cannot come to an agreement,this highlights a common problem plaguing the WI and Caricom.
Which Dr, how ya doing na?
Reference your comment “money can get in between such a lovely sport.” we must be reminded that these are professional players with bills to pay like the rest of us.
would you work for free
This is shameful. The WICB must have to find a way to resolve this situation. At full stength the team is weak when compared to the other nations (Aus, Eng, Pak, Ind, Shri). With a second tier team we can expect nothing more that disaster.
The WICB executives a pack of goons who have to ability to govern properly. If you fail to prepare, you are prepared to fail.
Peace.
I agree that these men should be professionals, but they are not. The guys on the team treat international cricket with the same mindset they view backyard cricket. Had these guys been part of a professional business firm, they would have been fired a long time ago, for poor performance. They should never be re-hired, leave cricket for those who are willing to perform and then be rewarded, instead of being rewarded for not performing. Apart from Shiv who is very consistent and deserves an increase, which of these other guys can claim an increase based on performance. None, underachievers the whole lot, they need to get some discipline, i’m happy they are no longer on the team, now maybe we can build a team with young players who is hungry.
congrats to my former team mate Travis on his Test debut.Good luck.
The real problen in West Indian cricket is the WICBC. This inept run, bungling, trouble making body is an affront to West Indian cricket and an embarassment to the world. Fire these incompetents, or dissolve this brutish board, and let us get on with the game.
Stanford introduce the boys to big money…….they want more
No, not Stanford. The late Kerry Packer introduce the
boys to big money, Stanford “JUST COME” my friend vyktor90.
I sincerely hope this team does well and we can do away with those money grabbing underperforming players.
Hope Braithwaite, Pascal, Roach et al perform and let’s start a new era with loyal players who are willing to ‘die’ for their country.