New WICB Elections Set for Sept 30

Barring another self-inflicted embarrassment, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) will elect a new president in time for the start of its fiscal year on October 1, 2003.

Exactly one month after the fiasco at the AGM in Dominica when Guyana's Chetram Singh withdrew his candidacy at the very last minute, the WICB sent out notices on August 7th to invite fresh nominees for special elections scheduled for September 30.

The deadline for nominations is August 31, according to the notices sent by WICB secretary (acting) Barry Thomas.

The reopening of the nomination is sure to set off another round of negotiations between regional boards to find suitable candidates for the post. Anguillan banker E. Val Banks, who was elected vice president in Dominica, is filling in as president until the September 30 elections.

And, it appears the backroom wheeling-and-dealing that led to much of the criticisms last month will again be a key part of the new elections. CaribbeanCricket.com has learnt that the WICB's executive committee huddled in St Lucia last week to identify a consensus candidate and there are whispers that the majority has already picked its nominee.

One source said the Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board of Control (TTCBC) sounded out former Test wicket-keeper Deryck Murray to gauge his interest in the job but Murray declined. It is not yet clear if Willie Rodriguez, who was nominated to challenge Chetram Singh in the cancelled election, is being considered.

The EC's meeting in St Lucia has raised some eyebrows within the WICB because the executive committee is still considered an "illegal body," according to one source. The two-year term of the last EC expired since May 2002. At the May, 2000 meeting, all other committees were duly elected except the EC.

"There was no resolution to that effect and no voting on an executive committee. The only resolution was to merge the finance committee with the EC," the source explained.

At that meeting, Enoch Lewis and Ken Hewitt were nominated to join the EC when finance matters would be considered but no EC nominations were proposed, the source added.

In Dominica last month, following a resolution by the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), the WICB's solicitors are examining rule changes to ensure the membership of the EC excludes directors from countries that have the president and vice president.