In The Papers Today (Sep 18, 2005)

In the Barbados Nation, Philip Spooner reveals that Pedro Collins and Fidel Edwards have declared they will make themselves available for the upcoming tour of Australia by signing and returning their letters of invitation by the given deadline.

Although contract negotiations are still underway the brothers have decided to sign on for the tour, in the interests of the game of cricket, whether or not the dispute is resolved.

Tony Cozier?s Sunday contribution carries the headline of "Much Ado About Nothing". In it, the veteran commentator finally speaks about the Lucky report, labelling the investigation and the media space devoted to it an ?unnecessary distraction to the effort of reversing the continuing decline of West Indies cricket?.

Cozier goes on to say that news of this weekend?s meeting between WIPA and WICB representatives and the workshops planned for the upcoming players training camp comes as welcome relief, because the actual cricket needs attention even more urgently than the administration.

Elsewhere in the same paper, Spooner conveys a message from Cricket World Cup 2007 Chief Operations Officer Michael Hall on the employment opportunities that will soon be on offer for people of the Caribbean as a result of hosting the event.

The Trinidad Guardian devotes column space to Brian Lara?s efforts in the first match of the Jacques Kallis benefit series, which was held on Friday. Lara, playing for the Kallis XI, made 31 but his efforts were in vain as the opposing South African XI won by 4 runs.

Rickey Singh discusses the ongoing contract dispute, Rawle Brancker?s resignation from the post of Chairman with CWC 2007, and the importance of involving Caricom as he analyses the miserable state of West Indies cricket. Grenada prime minister Dr Keith Mitchell is set to host a Prime Ministerial sub-committee meeting on Friday September, 23rd and, according to Singh, it isn?t a moment too soon.

It seems publication of the article had been delayed however, as Singh talks of the impending release of the Lucky Report.

Jermaine Lawson is recovering well after ankle surgery according to the Jamaica Observer?s Andrew Hancel.

Lawson says he should be ready to play against Australia in November but admits that ongoing scrutiny of his bowling action caused him to ponder his future in the game.

Andrew Foster, in the Jamaica Gleaner, brings news that Carlton Baugh Jr guided his Melbourne team to victory over opponents Manchester in yesterday?s rain-affected Capital & Credit final.

Baugh's heroics is also the top story in the Jamaica Observer.

Vemen Walter details today's 2005 El Dorado Senior Inter-County 50 Overs opening match between Demerara and Berbice in the Guyana Chronicle.

West Indies players Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan are turning out for Demerara while Narsingh Deonarine captains the Berbice team.

The online editions of the The Trinidad Express and the Stabroek News were not available Sunday.