The International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended Barbadian Javon Searles for breaches of its Anti-Corruption Codes as well as that of Cricket West Indies (CWI).
In a statement released on Thursday, the ICC revealed that the charges are in relation to the 2023/2024 season of Barbados' Bim10 Tournament, a competition that falls under the jurisdiction of the CWI Anti-Corruption Code.
The 39-year-old never represented the West Indies at the senior level but was a member of the West Indies Under-19 team. He played 42 matches for the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League from 2014 to 2019.
The charges extend to team officials Chitranjan Rathod and Trevon Griffith. All three have been provisionally suspended from all cricket with immediate effect and have 14 days (from 11 March) to respond to the charges.
The investigation into the Bim10 led to USA player Aaron Jones being charged with five breaches of the CWI and ICC Anti-Corruption Codes in January.
Offences brought against Searles, Rathod and Griffith:
Breach of Article 2.1.1 of the CWI Code – Fixing, contriving to fix or otherwise influencing improperly, or being a party to an agreement or effort to fix or contrive in any way or otherwise influence improperly,the result, progress, conduct or other aspect of matches in the Bim10 tournament in 2023/24 (or attempting to do so).
Breach of Article 2.1.4 of the CWI Code – Soliciting, instructing, encouraging or facilitating Players and/or Player Support Personnel to commit offences under the CWI Code.
Breach of Article 2.4.4 of the CWI Code – Failing or refusing to cooperate with a reasonable investigation carried out by the Designated Anti-Corruption Official (or his/her designee) in relation to possible offences under the CWI Code.
The West Indies named an unchanged squad for their three-match Women's T20 International series against Australia from March 19 to 23. According to Head Coach Shane Deitz, the series could not have come at a better time. “It's just before the World Cup, so it's a great opportunity to see where we are in our preparation,” he said.
The series will be played exclusively at the Arnos Vale Cricket Ground in St. Vincent and the Grenadines before the teams travel to St. Kitts and Nevis to contest three One Day Internationals. Deitz continued, “We're really excited about the opportunity to play the number one ranked ODI and T20 team in the world."
West Indies Squad for Women’s T20Is against Australia:
Cricket West Indies has confirmed that “ongoing uncertainty” surrounding the charter flight organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) has prompted members of the West Indies squad to opt for commercial travel out of India.
In a statement from the board, released earlier on Tuesday, CWI insists the decision was taken “in the interest of the well-being and safety of its players and support staff” after the flight, which was also meant to transport the South African team, was “repeatedly delayed.”
CWI, its players, and other partners "coordinated with the ICC” to complete the arrangements. While some Windies players and staff have already departed India, the remaining members are scheduled to depart today, Tuesday, Mar. 10, and tomorrow, Wednesday, Mar. 11.
International airspace restrictions arising from security concerns in the Gulf region had left several teams stranded in India following their elimination from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, including the Caribbean side, who were knocked out at the Super Eight stage on Mar. 1.
The ICC had finally confirmed a Mar. 8 departure date for both the West Indies and South Africa, which was subsequently delayed.
The West Indies are now set to fly out from India early Tuesday morning after being left stranded in Kolkata since their elimination from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on March 1.
The International Cricket Council has secured a chartered flight that will first take the South African team to Johannesburg; from there, the Caribbean side will leave for Antigua. The departure date for both teams was previously set for Sunday, March 8.
"[We have] remained in constant dialogue with the players, team management, and the International Cricket Council (ICC) since their last match against India," CWI's last statement on the matter assured.
"While the situation remains complex and fluid due to international airspace restrictions arising from security concerns in the Gulf region, CWI assures the public that every precaution is being taken to ensure the safe return of the team to the Caribbean."
Zimbabwe and England are the other teams that were subjected to departure delays due to the ongoing military conflict in West Asia, which has led to airspace closure.
The English left Mumbai for London on Saturday evening.
Board insists players and staff are in the loop after Sammy posts
"I just wanna go home," West Indies head coach Daren Sammy shared on social media earlier on Thursday. The team has been stuck in Kolkata since their elimination from the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Sunday.
Airspace closure in West Asia due to ongoing military conflict means that the West Indies are one of a few teams unable to leave India. Sammy followed up his first post with, “At least an update, tell us something. Today, tomorrow, next week. It’s been five days."
