In the Papers Today (Sep 26, 2005)

First up, we must point out that, after months of remaining tight-lipped, The Jamaica Gleaner's Tony Becca has finally acknowledged the existence of the Lucky Report into the sponsorship negotiations mess.

Becca accused Ken Gordon of adopting a waiting-in-the-wings stance since taking over the Presidency of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and noted that where Gordon is required to be positive and forward-thinking, he has condoned the Board's defensiveness.

Becca believes the SNRC's findings is a true reflection of events and that, by his response, Gordon has missed a big opportunity to pave the way forward.

Other big weekend news was centred on the words of no less a man that Sir Vivian Richards.

The Caribbean Media Corporation syndicated a piece in which Sir Viv demanded that truth and honesty be allowed to escape from behind the closed doors of Factory Road. All the major regional papers have picked up the story where the Master Blaster calls into question World Cup personnel and preparations, the integrity of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the Lucky Report.

Richards praises Rawle Brancker for taking a stand with his resignation and encourages other insiders to "say exactly what's happening" within West Indies cricket because the public has a right to know.

He accuses administrators of the game of not being sufficiently focussed on developing cricket in the region, and says the public needs to know the contents of the Lucky Report because it seems like the entire fiasco has been "put to sleep."

Rickey Singh reported in several Caribbean newspapers that Dr Keith Mitchell chaired three separate meetings in Grenada last week ? one with the CARICOM Prime Ministerial sub-committee, one with West Indies Cricket Board President Ken Gordon and one with West Indies Players? Association President Dinanath Ramnarine.

According to Singh, Mitchell is optimistic of an early resolution to the contract impasse following the meetings although unable to provide any details of the discussions that went on at this point in time.

The Jamaica Observer delighted in the selection of local boy Chris Gayle to the ICC World XI for the Super Series One Day matches. Gayle joins Brian Lara as the only two West Indies players selected to represent the World team.

Garfield Myers interviewed Jamaican coach Robert Haynes for his Sunday piece, reporting that Haynes is delighted with rookie spinner Alton Beckford, praising the teenager for his control and ability to bowl well for long spells.

Haynes also spoke of Daren Powell in glowing terms, saying the West Indies fast bowler looks better than ever. He believes his team can make the final four this year, something they were unable to do last year, simply by concentrating on the basics.

In its World Cup Watch column, the Jamaica Gleaner discusses the utilisation of the 2006 home series as a trial run for the big event. ICC Cricket World Cup Director of Security John Collymore heads up the Security Directorate which comprises senior police personnel from each of the host nations.

Areas that will be tested in 2006 include separation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, prohibited and restricted items, standardised policing procedures and the comman and control within stadiums. The highlight of the testing will be in St Lucia at the region?s first day/night match.

Anthony Foster reports that Jamaica?s team manager Maurice Clarke has voiced concern over the team?s inability to bat an entire innings, reiterating the view of stand-in captain Tamar Lambert.

Jamaica?s President?s Cup side played two practice matches on Saturday and Sunday and on both occasions were bowled out in less than the allocated 50 overs. Clarke sayss: "It's definitely a concern we have to work on before we leave here,"

In the Trinidad Express, Fazeer Mohammed lightens up the start of the working week by naming his all-time World XI team. Making the cut in both are Brian Lara, George Headley, Garfield Sobers and Malcolm Marshall.

He tells us to check back on Wednesday when his all-time West Indies XI will be published.

The Trinidad Newsday and the CricketWI.com Web site both republished CaribbeanCricket.com?s exclusive piece on the scrapping of the West Indies Cricket Board Development Unit. Word for word. Without crediting either site or author.

The Trinidad Guardian reports that World Cup CEO Chris Dehring has declared the CARICOM Prime Ministerial sub-committee is pleased with preparations for the 2007 event.

Dehring travelled to Grenada last week to brief the committee on ongoing preparations for the big event.

The Stabroek News and the Guyana Chronicle both report on the final of the El Dorado Inter-County Limited Overs tournament which was won by Shivnarine Chanderpaul?s Demerara side. Chanderpaul contributed a half century to Demerara?s 187-4, in reply to 183-9 by Narsingh Deonarine?s Berbice team.

The Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) carried a report on the Barbados squad for this year's unsponsored regional one-day competition. After missing the 2004 competition, Floyd Reifer has successfully campaigned for a spot alongside the likes of West Indies players Dwayne Smith, Corey Collymore, Pedro Collins, Tino Best and Ian Bradshaw.

Sherwin Campbell is out of the Courtney Browne-led side and pacer Fidel Edwards also missed out on a berth, instead being named as a reserve.

The Morgan Coulthurst, a column in the Barbados Advocate, celebrated the anniversary of West Indies claiming the ICC Champions Trophy and called on Barbados to make September 25 ?West Indies Cricket Day?.

Terming the shock win ?the most glorious day in the modern era of West Indies cricket?, the writer reminds readers that Barbadians Courtney Browne and Ian Bradshaw were responsible for bringing home the trophy. He also ponders why Barbadian authorities recognised World Ozone Day but are doing nothing to remember these local heroes and goes so far as to write a satirical script that combines both the forgotten cricket and the remembered environment.

All the major papers have covered the filming of Digicel advertisements for the 2006 Away Series. Location was the 3W?s Oval, Barbados on Friday and Saturday and players including Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Daren Powell, Corey Collymore, Tino Best and Dwayne Bravo featured.

We made a point of returning to the Barbados Nation News in search of the second instalment of C. Malcolm Grant?s commentary on the Many Plagues of West Indies Cricket. Alas, we were unable to find it but still hold out hope!