In The Papers Today (Oct 3, 2005)

Tony Cozier writes that the West Indies Cricket Board, and President Ken Gordon in particular, have allowed another chance to meet with a large group of players, coaches and other officials to slip by.

Cozier says that whilst Gordon is well known in business circles throughout the region, many of the people who will now work under his direction do not know him, and do not know the details of the controversies affecting West Indies cricket at present.

He believes that the recently concluded preparation camp in Barbados was the perfect opportunity for Gordon to make his mark amongst his charges. An opportunity Gordon missed, sadly.

Speaking immediately after his induction into Hartford's Cricket Hall of Fame in Connecticut over the weekend, Andy Roberts blamed players' lack of commitment for the West Indies woes.

CMC reports that Roberts reminisced on the West Indies glory days and lamented its current position in the rankings adding, "The talent is there, but the players must be reminded that success is only one per cent inspiration and 99 per scent perspiration."

The Trinidad Express and Jamaica Observer sizes up the competition on the eve of the opening matches of the 2005 President?s Cup, running through the strengths and weaknesses of each side, as well as looking at past performances.

Haydn Gill, in the Barbados Nation, provides a detailed analysis of the teams in the competition looking at the captains, performance throughout the history of the regional Limited Overs competition and the 2005 squad members.

Brian Lara has been appointed vice-captain of the ICC World XI team for the Johnnie Walker Super Series one-day internationals.

Playing in a World XI practice match against a Victorian XI on Sunday, Lara contributed 9 runs to his teams winning total of 281.

Former West Indies batsman Phil Simmons was in the headlines over the weekend for comments he made regarding politics within Zimbabwe cricket. Simmons was released from his contract in August following a series loss to New Zealand and a beating by Bangladesh.

Henry Olonga, a former Zimbabwean player who left his country for England amidst a sea of controversy, came out in support of Simmons saying, "Things haven't gone well for a number of years, so it isn't that Phil has messed up."

The Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reports that Barbados? President?s Cup squad has suffered two setbacks, in the form of injury to Pedro Collins and illness to Ryan Hinds.

Collins pulled up during the opening day of the West Indies practice match at Cave Hill and Hinds is apparently suffering from an ear infection. Hinds was expected to be named vice-captain of Barbados. He is replaced in the squad by Patrick Browne.

The Fiji Times reports that Cricket Fiji has invited the West Indies to play a match celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first match between the two sides.

Cricket Fiji is set to receive an ICC grant in April 2006. The last time the two sides met, Fiji beat the West Indies in a match played in Suva.