WICB: WIPA Breached Mediation Deal

The war of words between the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the players' association is heating up again.

Reacting to calls from WIPA for the immediate naming of the captain and team for the upcoming one-day series in Australia, the WICB accused the association of undermining the mediation process being overseen by Caricom.

The WIPA statement, which was published in several Caribbean newspapers, said the arbitrator's ruling "endorsed" its position on disputed Clause 1K but the WICB fired back with a statement of its own.

"The press statement purportedly issued by WIPA?s President and Chief Executive Officer Mr Dinanath Ramnarine, as published in media reports, attempts to characterise the judgement of the independent arbiter in a manner favourable to WIPA. This is quite clearly a breach of the Heads of Agreement entered into by all parties at the mediation session in St. Georges," the WICB said.

The board said it has scrupulously adhered to the agreement and will continue to do so as it works with all parties to chart a way forward in the interest of all West Indies cricket within the process as agreed at the 26 November meeting.

"Further the Board is of the view that the team for the upcoming VB triangular One-Day International Series in Australia can only be finalised and announced at the end of the process given the issues involved," the WICB added.

The Caricom mediation agreement calls for both the WICB and WIPA to avoid public comments that could inflame the situation. The two sides are allowed to speak to factual information but any incendiary statement could be construed as a breach of the agreement.