ICC Says 'No' to Samuels; WICB Negotiating
Tue, Feb 4, '03
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has denied the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) request to have Jamaican batsman Marlon Samuels rejoin the World Cup squad in South Africa but the board is challenging the ruling.
According to information reaching CaribbeanCricket.com, an official request by the WICB to have Samuels travel to South Africa was turned down by the ICC on the grounds that a player cut from a squad cannot rejoin the team. However, sources say the WICB's lawyers are negotiating on the grounds that the ICC rules go into effect after the tournament begins.
Well-placed sources in South Africa say WICB boss Rev. Wes Hall has been in personal contact with ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed to discuss the issue but, up to mid-afternoon Tuesday, there was no movement on the issue. Rev. Hall is heading to South Africa to continue the negotiations.
Interestingly, sources say former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding could have word in whether Samuels is allowed to rejoin the Caribbean side. Holding was recently named in a six-man ICC committee to troubleshoot technical aspects of the World Cup and sources say that committee, which is chaired by Speed, will determine the West Indies request.
The committee -- comprising Speed, Holding, South Africa's Dr Ali Bacher and Brian Basson, ICC commercial manager Campbell Jamieson and India's Sunil Gavaskar -- took over the major decision making at midnight last night and they are said to be mulling the WICB request concerning Samuels.
Should Samuels be allowed to join the squad, replacement player Ryan Hinds will be withdrawn but sources say he will remain in South Africa at the WICB's expense. Hinds would be allowed to train and travel with the team but won't be available for selection and would not be allowed in the dressing room during games.
Meanwhile, Samuels is scheduled to travel back to Jamaica Wednesday to await a final decision from the ICC. If the WICB request is denied, he most likely will play in the Carib Beer Cup first class competition in the Caribbean.