Tony Marshall Should Withdraw

Tony Marshall's overly keen interest in the presidency of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is troubling on many counts.

We are always wary when a potential candidate -- even if he's Clive Lloyd -- seems to be begging for a job described as a "poisoned chalice" and, in this case, that worry is compounded by the fact that Marshall is a member of the WICB's marketing committee. Yes, that committee that is under review to determine whether it acted appropriately in the negotiations and conclusion of the sponsorship arrangement with Digicel.

A snippet from the terms of reference for the independent contract inquiry reads:

"The Marketing Committee of the WICB conducted the negotiations with both parties and in so doing submitted periodic reports and recommendations to the Board of Directors of the WICB. These reports formed the basis for final decisions made by WICB Board of Directors."

We're not at all suggesting Marshall or any other member of the Marketing Committee did anything inappropriate. In fact, his name never once surfaced in the brouhaha that erupted since Digicel replaced Cable & Wireless as the board's title sponsor.

However, out of respect for due process, Marshall -- and his backers in the BCA for that matter -- should withdraw his candidacy to ensure the next president of the West Indies is not tainted by any leftover baggage.

One would think the BCA would have learned from the Chetram Singh fiasco in 2003, when a candidate with well-known ties to gambling became a consensus candidate for the WICB presidency.

The bitter taste from that episode still lingers and the stakeholders ought to be careful when making and supporting nominations.

At the very least, Tony Marshall's nomination should be quashed until after the Sponsorship Negotiations Review Committee delivers its findings.