In The Papers Today (Sep 19, 05)

The circus surrounding the Sponsorship Negotiations Review Committee report continues, with chairman Justice Anthony Lucky labelling the West Indies Cricket Board?s response as "appalling." Rickey Singh delivers the news in the Trinidad Express and Jamaica Observer today.

According to Singh, Lucky has spoken to fellow committee members Gregory Georges and Avondale Thomas about the need to respond to the WICB's response and the trio have agreed that such a statement will be forthcoming.

In the meantime, Lucky has released a solo statement, declaring it is "simply appalling, indeed outrageous, for the Board, including its new president (Ken Gordon), to have acted as judge and jury in its own cause.".

Mark Pouchet reports in the Trinidad Express, that the WICB has done away with a deadline for receiving signed letters from players making themselves available for the tour of Australia. WIPA has advised players to attend the preparation camp and that doing so does not commit them to the draft contracts issued with the letters of invitation.

The article goes on to say that Pedro Collins and Fidel Edwards were misrepresented in the media yesterday. The fast bowlers only indicated that "they accepted the invitation and never indicated they would sign the match/tour contracts".

"They were misquoted," Pouchet quotes a source as saying. "They will not sign now because the contracts are still being negotiated."

Elsewhere in the Express, Fazeer Mohammed asks the question "Do our sportsmen really love the games they play?" His story is not specifically about cricket, but references names ranging from Brian Lara to Deryck Murray to Pa Aleong and suggests that dedication, commitment and a selfless attitude are key factors in improving the standard of play.

In the Trinidad Guardian, Vinode Mamchan carries an article which quotes Brian Lara as saying "I sincerely hope we solve our problem with the controlling body before (the tour) so that I will be able to play against the Aussies."

Lara also comments on the prospect of him becoming the highest Test scorer of all time. He needs 357 more runs to eclipse Allan Border and says that whilst he would love to break the record, especially in Australia, his primary focus is helping the West Indies climb from number 8 in the Test rankings.

The paper also reports that the Kallis XI, featuring Lara, suffered its second successive loss in the Jacques Kallis benefit series. Lara made four runs before being bowled by the South African XI's Andre Nel.

Vemen Walter chronicles Demerara?s win over Berbice in the opening match of Guyana?s El Dorado Inter-county tournament. Leading Demerara to victory were Krishna Arjune who made 75, Neil McGarrell who took 3-33 runs and Garfield Morris who picked up 3 for 29.

Ryan Ramdass, recently snubbed by West Indies selectors, made 28 for Demerara before being run out. The side employed the new super sub rules and replaced him in the field with fast bowler Morris. Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan made 18 and 8 respectively.

In the Jamaica Observer, Garfield Myers reports that Jerome Taylor has been omitted from Jamaica?s 14 man President?s Cup squad on advice from senior team coach Bennett King.

Taylor will miss out on touring Australia after a WICB appointed medical panel agreed he requires further rehabilitative work before being ready for competition, a move supported by King who has declared the fast bowler will not be considered for selection despite his inclusion in the 30-man training squad.

The Observer also follows Jamaicans in English County cricket with reports that Gareth Breese inspired another win for his Durham side and Worcestershire suffered another loss despite a quick-fire 44 from Chris Gayle.

The ICC has confirmed global television coverage of the Johnnie Walker Super Series in a move that will take the action from Australia direct to the living rooms of over a billion people worldwide.

According to an ICC press release, Kerry Packer's Channel 9 in Australia will act as host broadcaster, feeding the service around the world. CMC will bring the matches to the Caribbean, Echostar takes it to North America and BSkyB to the United Kingdom.

WindiesCricket.com reports that the Trinidad & Tobago Blind Cricket Association will be launched this weekend. Scheduled to attend the event at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain, Couva are WICB President Ken Gordon and T&T Cricket Board President Ellis Lewis.

Coinciding with the event, three members of the England Blind cricket team will be on hand to host a five day training workshop for coaches from around the region.