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St John’s, Antigua – The Board of Directors of the West Indies Cricket Board held an emergency meeting by teleconference today to discuss the developments with regard to the West Indies tour of India.

The Board of Directors was briefed of the latest developments and as a result of decisions taken the WICB advises:

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1.    The WICB clarifies that players in the West Indies Squad currently in India represented by Mr. Dwayne Bravo indicated to the WICB through the West Indies Team Management that the players have taken a decision to withdraw their services for the remainder of the tour of India. As a result of this action by the players the WICB was left with no option but to advise the BCCI that it will no longer be able to provide a West Indies team for the remaining five matches (5th ODI, T20 International, three Test matches).

2.    The WICB wishes to further clarify that its proposed alternative arrangement of a replacement West Indies team was not considered acceptable. The WICB is understanding of this position.

3.    The WICB unreservedly apologises to West Indian fans and all cricket fans for this most regrettable situation and the premature end to the tour.

4.    The WICB unreservedly apologises to the BCCI, their sponsors, broadcasters and other stakeholders for the premature end to the tour.

5.    The WICB thanks the BCCI, their sponsors, broadcasters, other stakeholders and fans for their patience and understanding during the first four ODIs. The WICB wishes the BCCI every success with the proposed alternative arrangements and looks forward to the continuation of the strong and longstanding relationship between the two boards.

6.    The WICB clarifies further that as a result of postulations by the players, the tour was under a cloud of uncertainty from the inception. The WICB, acting prudently, advised the host board – BCCI – of the developments and remained in constant contact to provide updates as to the threat of possible player action.

7.    The WICB will host an emergency Board Meeting on Tuesday October 21st, in Barbados, to conduct a thorough assessment of all the ramifications of the premature end to the tour and any action which may be necessary therefrom. The WICB will host a media conference following this meeting. Further details will be provided upon confirmation.

8.    The WICB regrets that the delegation which was pre-scheduled to travel to India to meet with the players on a number of issues will no longer be able to conduct such meeting at which the intention was also to discuss the concerns of the players. The delegation had included WICB Chief Executive Officer Mr. Michael Muirhead, Chairman of the Cricket Committee Mr. Julian Charles and also WIPA President and CEO Mr. Wavell Hinds. The delegation had been scheduled to arrive in India on Monday October 20. This meeting was scheduled prior to any issues being raised with the New MOU/CBA and it was intended to acquaint all the parties of how it would roll out. This was necessary as the WICB did not have an opportunity to so do in the Caribbean due to the logistical challenges of assembling all the players prior to departure for the tour of India (some of the players were already in India participating in the Champions League). The WICB CEO, Mr. Muirhead and WIPA President/CEO Mr. Hinds had been in negotiations with regard to finding a mutually agreeable position to allow for the full tour to be completed.

9.    The WICB further regrets that in his initial communication to the WIPA President and CEO Mr. Hinds, Mr. Bravo chose to use inflammatory language and issue a clear threat to cause injury to West Indies cricket.

Specifically Mr. Bravo wrote: “Please note that we are giving you the opportunity to right this wrong before things deteriorate [sic] to such an extent that West Indies cricket to the wider cricket world looks to fall to its knees again.”

10. The WICB reiterates that as a result of the action taken by the players the Board was forced with no other option but to discontinue the tour. The Board once again apologises unreservedly for the premature end to the tour.

Finally, the WICB advises that the West Indies A Team tour of Sri Lanka continues as scheduled.

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

In reply to Andy99


I don't think your home boys will represent west Indies again

In reply to Andy99

yep and still who lose out we de fans.
No one win you know no matter who you want to place the blame on.
I for one see it as an unprofessional move by the players.
Look for Bravo to be replaced as cappo.
And look for Wavel to somehow keep his place as WIPA Pre andbe Mr confict of interest still.

In reply to positiveg

Lots of dem might get ban but WICB will lose out EVENTUALLY, just a matter of how much months or years it takes. It was really Players vs WIPA but in the coming weeks WICB will be a big player due to the actions they gonna take.
WIPA maybe.

All 3 sides wrong.

1)Wavell and WIPA tops the list.
2)WICB comes in 2nd, for not doing enough and them finally coming out late and saying them sticking with the MOU.
3)WI players for striking vs India, they did play and had something been done them I'm sure they wouldn't have done it. they had concerns and gave enough time but the others weren't doing anything of note, all they could've done was strike to make their point after all the threat and repeated threat fell on deaf ears. As long as matches were being played Cameron and WICB was happy which is what he said in his first release. So now that I think about it I doh hold it against them fuh striking, just that they gotta be prepared fuh the repercussions.

In reply to silver

who cares.. west indies should get demolished and individual territories should play, expand the icc 10

In reply to Controversy

A silly dream.

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

In reply to Controversy


We cannot get the best players from six territories to be competitive and now you talking bout individual islands going it alone

WICB rightly deserve the main blame. Too incompetent.

This could finally be the beginning on the end for west cricket team ....

That's it then

Bravo is finished, and from their tweets it looks like the same for Ramdin and Polly.

Gayle not posting any pics of Wavell drinking in Triple Century anymore and quiet too...

In reply to Walco

My question exactly...that was an unnecessary attempt to try to belittle Bravo's ability to write a letter, and I believe it makes them look very foolish as a result. I'm still trying to figure what is supposed to be grammatically wrong with that word or sentence.

In reply to Andy99

I too hope the players realise the ramifications of what they did. Perhaps they were thinking only for themselves but this will run deep. Maybe it was a stab at management of WICB but it is still steeper than that.
WIPA, well Wavell and Hall will try to put the regional guys against them if the said retainers are to fall through.
No international coach would want to work with these crews. And WICB will find it hard setting up tours with these players involved. Best thing to come out of this would most likely be some young players getting a shot at making a name for themselves and proper contracts.

Not to mention future players realising how important their actioactions are both on and off the field

In reply to positiveg

This surely is a huge decision... WI cricket will not be seen the same way as before. Black day in WI cricket.

WICB has retained its power,share and what it wanted through MOU. Wavell will continue as the WIPA president. PLayers had registered their protest.

But in all this what happens to WI Cricket? no one cares

In reply to positiveg

Maybe - just maybe both the WICB and the WIPA executive were playing smart but not being clever.
Reality has finally caught up with them.

Justice Lucky was correct from day one. Let the chips fall where they may and never forget that so called cricket leaders in dem territories voted this WICB Board into power.
How ironic that it took ten years for that horrific crack to be torn asunder.

In reply to Pacy