The Federation of International Cricketers' Association (FICA)
on Thursday called on the WICB to "select the best possible
representative side" and to avoid discrimination in its selection
policies.
"International sport is about the best competing against the
best and it demands discrimination-free selection policies. There
is an obligation to select the best possible representative side
and not to preclude players from selection just because they have
bona fide endorsement obligations to a competitor of the team
sponsor," FICA chief executive Tim May said.
Teddy Griffith, president of West Indies Cricket Board, made
what could be seen as a pre-emptive strike in the raging war
between the WICB on the one hand and WIPA on the other.
This came just before the meeting on Monday to address the
action that must be taken to resolve the stand-off between WICB and
WIPA. His address to the region on Friday night was informative and
must give us all, WIPA and the fans and supporters of West Indies
cricket, reason to think again about any previously held
stances.
It's hard to believe that Guyana, with the worst bowling in the
region, has been leavingt out Neil McGarrell from the Guyana team
against his wishes. An article in the online issue of Stabroek
News has confirmed that that was exactly what
has been happening.
In typical Guyana fashion, the cricket authorities have managed
to mislead the public into believing that McGarrell was unfit all
this time. Now we hear, from McGarrell himself, that he has been
fit and ready to play for at least the last two matches.
Former West Indies skipper Richie Richardson has a
straightforward fix for the ongoing crisis threatening the game in
the Caribbean: Get rid of the WICB and find business-minded
individuals to take over West Indies cricket administration.
"We've had a number of problems over the years, and the game has
advanced and we have remained stagnant, if not retrogressed. I
believe the best thing for West Indies cricket right now is to give
somebody who has serious money and who is a serious businessman and
who is willing to invest in West Indies cricket and restore it,"
the 43-year-old Richardson told the Antigua Sun
newspaper.
Several positive signs emerged from a high-powered meeting
between the WICB, WIPA, Digicel and Cable & Wireless on Monday
but West Indian fans hoping for a final resolution will have to
keep waiting.
After Monday?s powwow, Grenadian prime minister Dr Keith
Mitchell said the session "laid the ground work which will most
likely lead to a settlement of the major issues." No details were
provided.
