Devers Reports Threat by Selector

Cricket journalism in Guyana is becoming dangerous business. Just ask Sean Devers.

The well-known journalist who covers cricket for radio, newspaper and television outlets, was on the receiving end of verbal threats from chairman of Guyana selectors Joe Solomon over his reporting of the news surrounding the omission -- and subsequent recall -- of leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo.

Devers has reported the matter to the police in Guyana. In addition, he sent a formal letter of complaint to the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) spelling out the very public abuse he received from Solomon during the Carib Beer Cup match between Guyana and West Indies 'B' at the Enmore ground.

"I am fed up with the stress involved in covering cricket in Guyana and abuse from officials. Players are punished for disgracing the image of their country's cricket in public and I hope something is done regarding Mr Solomon's attitude at Enmore in full view of the public," Devers wrote in his letter to GCB president Chetram Singh.

Devers said the 73-year-old Solomon was apparently upset at a suggestion made on his (Devers') television program that Solomon had exceeded his authority in "banning" Nagamootoo for two games for his role in the fistfight on the Guyana team bus in Dominica.

According to eyewitnesses, Solomon invited Devers into the Guyana dressing room at Enmore and warned him to "stop f**king talking about me or I will settle you." At that point, Devers refused to carry on the conversation and walked out of the dressing room only to be followed by Solomon who continued to berate him in front of a large crowd of spectators.

At that point, Devers told Solomon that his advanced age was saving him from retaliation.

"Talking about Solomon, or any other public person is my job and I take this threat very seriously," Devers said in his letter to the GCB, a copy of which has been seen by CaribbeanCricket.com.

The argument was sparked by Solomon's comment that Nagamootoo and Lennox Cush were slapped with a two-match ban, a statement that has since been contradicted by Chetram Singh who claimed the players were never banned by the board. As previously reported, the GCB plans to convene a disciplinary hearing into the matter. At the time, GCB spokesman Terry Holder made it clear the selection panel had no authority to issue bans to players.

This was exactly the stance of Devers, who argued on television that Solomon's selection panel had no authority to be issuing bans to players.

The GCB has not yet convened its disciplinary hearing.