Windies Players Strike

In a move that plunges West Indies cricket into complete chaos, The West Indies Player's Association (WIPA) has carried through with its threat to strike and disrupt the Carib Beer playoffs.

Following a stalemate in negotiations between the board and WIPA, the players have refused to play both games -- in Barbados and in Guyana.

At 10:30 a.m EST., representatives from WIPA and the WICB were locked in negotiations to try to salvage the matches.

WICB president Wes Hall said he was "personally embarrassed" by the unfolding situation, describing the strike call as the "darkest day" in West Indies cricket.

Players from Guyana and Jamaica refused to leave the team hotel this morning and Jamaica captain Robert Samuels is insistent his team will not play without opener Wavell Hinds, who is in Barbados as a WIPA negotiator.

In Barbados, there are reports the players from the home side and the Barbadians are divided over the WIPA strike call but play there too did not get started at press time.