Lara is Captain; Team for Zim ODIs
Wed, Apr 26, '06
(The following notes are from a WICB press conference to announce retainer contracts, a new captain and the team for Zimbabwe. In attendance were Brian Lara, Ken Gordon, Dinanath Ramnarine and Deryck Murray)
Brian Lara was named captain of the West Indies team for the immediate future. No vice-captain was identified. The squad was also picked and a final deal for retainer contracts was also announced...
Chris Gayle
Runako Morton
Ramnaresh Sarwan
Brian Lara (captain)
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Dwayne Smith
Marlon Samuels
Dwayne Bravo
Denesh Ramdin
Corey Collymore
Fidel Edwards
Jerome Taylor
Ian Bradshaw
Brian Lara takes questions:
* I?m very concerned about young fast bowlers and injuries. It?s important to preserve our best players to have best players at most critical time.
* I?ve cut down on ODIs but I?ve always shown an interest in World Cup. I haven?t pinpointed a time to call it a day. Right now, I?ve pushed aside retirement. It?s tough to say when this will happen. The day I become a liability, I?ll call it a day. I don?t think I can do myself justice by pinning down a time.
* Retainer contracts will make my job and board?s job easier. Players have security now.
* This is my third go at the job. In 2000, when Jimmy Adams took over, I thought he?d be captain for lengthy period. Carl Hooper did the same and my support was for him to be a long-term captain. Chanderpaul took over and I supported him and thought he?d be around for a long time if we won. Now, the board and selectors have gone for experience instead of youth. I see myself as a leader.
* I?ve been out of the captaincy job for more than a year. Before that, I did have a say in selections. Next meeting with coaches, manager and selectors. That?s going to be decided then. With my experience, I?m playing for 16 years, my opinion has always been asked. I expect a friendly atmosphere.
* What is success for you? Success for me is producing a leader who will be able to take over. Relationship between WICB and players must be where we are holding hands on the street. We need to create a resurgence in our cricket going into the World Cup.
* We have the most cricketers under the age of 25. Because of injury, loss of form, etc. We have to use that in our favour. I know a team has been selected. We need to test the waters, test new players against Zimbabwe. When we travel to big tournaments, we must have the best possible squad. Some people argue for stability. But I believe we should pick from more players. We have the talent. Just a matter of everyone coming together to deliberate on moving forward.
* We need to understand our position in world cricket. We are 2-3 from the bottom of both ODI and Test cricket. That?s just a fact. From there, we have to realise that situation and build a team accordingly. The expectation over the years, during years of decline, was that we?d turn the corner and head back to the top immediately. That has not come to fruition. We now have a group of exciting cricketers. But the gap between firstclass and Test cricket is so great, players can?t make the jump. That?s something that the selectors and cricket committee has to address.
Deryck Murray:
* This will help our cricket to move forward. It?s one step. Beginning of a new relationship between board and players. Easy to make compromises and concessions because it?s for the good of WI cricket. Many people to thank - Des Haynes, Barry Thomas and myself were here all though the night, working to finish this. It was years of hard work by a number of other people. This is the beginning of the resurgence of WI cricket.
Dinanath Ramnarine:
* Special thanks to Roger Brathwaite, outgoing WICB CEO. Roger ought to be mentioned in this. He did a lot of work, fantastic job to come up with text of all these documents. I also want to recognise Rev Wes Hall who actually started this process. We at WIPA recognise people in board who contributed to this process. They must be commended.
* Negotiations could not have been completed with help from volunteers. This wasn?t easy. Thanks to all involved, including WICB.
* On behalf of WIPA, very pleased to bring this to finality after 2 years. CLA, MOU, code of conduct, retainer contracts, match/tour contracts for non-retained players. This is historic. First time we have set out a framework to deal with disputes. To deal with the way players and board have a solid relationship going forward. In past, it was ad-hot. This framework deals with board and players as equal partners. Now we are equally responsible for future of WI cricket.
(Ramnarine reads joint statement by WICB and WIPA announcing deal for retainer contracts for one year (8-10 players)
Brian Lara:
* Thank you to the president of WICB. Thanks to president of WIPA for support.
* It?s a great honour. It?s the third time I?m taking the job and I feel I have the necessary support. I?ll be part of a group of former and present players making an effort to rebuild WI cricket. Clive Lloyd, Deryck Murray, Des Haynes ? all part of different committees? I see their commitment and interest is parallel to when they were playing.
* Chanderpaul did a wonderful job under the circumstances. He?ll reap the benefits later in life. He called me and he said he?d support me and asked that I give it some consideration.
* The fact that a lot of former players called me was humbling. This was followed up by phone calls from present teammates who thought I should assume mantle of leadership at this juncture. Avg age of team is in mid 20s. I called past and present players for objective view on matter. They unequivocally thought same as the others who were trying to influence me.
Ken Gordon, WICB president, at press conference:
* (Invites Dinanath Ramarine, Deryck Murray and Brian Lara to join press conference)
* All change is difficult. When you move from one position to another, there will be resistance and differences. At one stage, WICB sought assistance for C?bean governments to finance retainer contracts. That wasn?t forthcoming.
* Whatever info is out there regarding C&W signing players, I?m not getting into. Today, we have an opportunity to turn a new page. I want to leave as much garbage behind us at this time. We?ve had that for too long.
* Players will be on contract to cover entire package and earnings. They will have certain obligations. Every day, they will be under control of the coach. Coach may want them to play in territorial match. He may want them in classroom. Everyone under retainer will be under year-long development program. This is being done by all int?l teams.
* Three former players spoke with Lara and asked him to assume the post. They acted as individuals. I don?t have permission to reveal their names.
* We?ve made some assumptions on finances and we hope these are justified. We are committed to making this work. Retainer is for one year, beginning May 1.
* We are falling in line with general practice of all int?l teams to put frontline players on retainer contracts. As you develop and your financial means improve, you can add more players.
* No determination on final number of players to be offered retainers. Depends on finances and a host of other things. Will be between 8 and 10 players.
* Lara?s appointment is not interim. His appointment as captain stands. Not appointed for any fixed period of time.
* Lara is the new captain. Logic to go back to Lara ? of the players who are available, there were varying strengths. But there were also varying weaknesses. Lara brings a lot to the table at this time to make a material difference. Whatever the risks, the best is to go with Lara, whose experience and knowledge is unquestioned.
* No vice captain named at this time. We felt it is better to go in this direction at this time. Not indefinite. But decision is to just go with captain at this time.
* Issue of retainer contracts ?has been settled.?
* Final leg of negotiations was successfully concluded after 3am this morning. I?d like to congratulate WIPA negotiating team for ?good judgment and maturity.?