WICB Boss Gets Clearance for Sanford

Give a pat on the back to West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Rev. Wes Hall.

On the heels of reports that the Antigua Police Force had penalised up-and-coming fast bowler for playing club cricket in Barbados, the WICB boss held discussions with Sanford's employers and straightened out the issue.

According to a report in the Antigua Sun, Hall discussed the issue of employment leave with police commissioner Truehart Smith and cleared the way for Sanford participate in the West Indies fast bowling clinic underway at the Stanford Cricket Grounds.

"During the discussions, the proper procedure was laid out as to how Sanford should apply for leave to take part in future cricketing activities," the report said. The police commissioner had refused to grant Sanford permission to attend the cricket clinic, telling him he must do so on his own time.

After the meeting, Antiguan officials said: "It was a very useful discussion and the situation was amicably resolved. He (Sanford) was allowed to take part in a training session."

Sanford, who made his international debut against India at home this year, was forced to abort an opportunity to improve his cricketing skills in Barbados because of the problems with the police force, where he is employed. He was invited by a Barbados club, via the West Indies Cricket Board, to play club cricket.

According to the newspaper, police commissioner Smith telephoned the organisers and threatened if they did not send Sanford back to Antigua immediately, they would be charged with harbouring a deserter of Antigua & Barbuda. The club did as was requested of them, and sent Sanford back to Antigua & Barbuda.