The Independent Voice of West Indies Cricket
Why is it not surprising that the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has got itself and the future of the game in the region into another pickle?
Simply put, the WICB in its structure, outlook and functioning is programmed to de-materialise West Indian cricket; indeed, there is no assurance that a settlement will be reached in the interest of all in the matter of the Board?s attempts to manhandle the players and their association over individual rights.
When, at age 28, Ridley Jacobs was handed his first West Indian cap, it was the end of a wait that had seemed interminably long. Prior to this, he had been a consistent performer for his regional team the Leeward Islands. However, the selectors? insistence on playing musical chairs with Junior Murray and Courtney Browne played a major role in his delayed entry.
First class cricket in the West Indies will take a step forward this year with the adoption of a five-day format for the Carib Beer finals, a move designed to prevent a dull draw and a contrived result.
This refreshing sign of life from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) opens the door to an improvement in the standard of regional first class cricket.
The issue of unpaid players going back to the 1980s has its roots in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) making promises that it could not deliver.
Barbados Nation cricket writer Tony Cozier provided an insight into the controversy in his Sunday column and says it is "surely more than simple coincidence" that the issue would come to the fore at the same time the players' association is accusing the board of selling what it does not own.
Former West Indies middle order batsman Gus Logie says the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) still owes the 1983 World Cup cricket team money for retaining their services.
Logie who coached the regional side to the ICC Champions Trophy title, was responding to a published report that the ?Greats? from the 1983 Clive Lloyd team signed retainer contracts with the WICB, when their services were being sought by top officials from South Africa.