Coach King Proud of Windies

West Indies head coach Bennett King is proud of the team for upholding the West Indian tradition of playing the game in the right spirit after they were tormented by bad umpiring decisions throughout the series against Australia.

Robert Craddock writes in the Herald Sun that four key decisions went against the West Indies in the third Test alone, but there was no major public sign of the dissent.

"The thing I was really proud of was the West Indies played the game," King said. "The legacy past players in the West Indies have shown was carried on today and I think they showed a pretty good example."

Coach King added: "I think it is lessons learnt. You watch them play in the schoolyard and the players out there are quite firm in how they believe the game should be played.

"It is a wonderful heritage and tradition to keep upholding. The lessons that the children back home see from how we play augurs well for the West Indies' future and how they approach the game."

BBC Sport is reporting that Shane Warne's query for a catch off Daren Powell on day three has landed the leg-spinner in hot water.

Warne was reported for his reaction to a turned-down appeal for a close-in catch and was charged by match referee Mike Procter under Section 1.3 of the International Cricket Council (ICC) code of conduct.

Warne attended a hearing with Procter at the conclusion of play on Monday in Adelaide but a decision was delayed.

Still in Australia, Fox Sports columnist Mike Coward expect West Indies captain Shiv Chanderpaul to file a scathing match report on the poor performance of umpires Aleem Dar and Billy Bowden

He notes that both umpires have enjoyed favourable notices in recent years but said players and critics alike have grown weary of Bowden's antics and have been unafraid to say so.

Meanwhile, there's a Carib Beer-sponsored first class tournament going on in the Caribbean with Barbados and Jamaica taking first innings honours against Guyana and the Leewards.

Most newspapers in the region are depending on CMC match reports. In Guyana, a responsible 83 from rookie middle-order batsman Alcindo Holder has given Barbados the upper hand.

Scores after day three: Guyana 241 (Travis Dowlin 73, Mahendra Nagamootoo 42 not out; Ian Bradshaw 5-50, Ryan Nurse 3-60) and 105-2.

Barbados 394 (Dale Richards 127, Alcindo Holder 83, Ryan Hinds 57; Reon King 3-73, Neil McGarrell 3-85, Mahendra Nagamootoo 3-119).

In Kingston, Jamaica, the Leeward Islands reached 215 for eight in their second innings when rain aborted play shortly after tea on the third day

Scores: Leeward Islands 196 (Runako Morton 62, Shane Jeffers 55, Sylvester Joseph 47; Andrew Richardson 5-32, Nikita Miller 3-37) and 215-8 (Shane Jeffers 88; Nikita Miller 3-34, Gareth Breese 3-62).

Jamaica 223 (Tamar Lambert 51, David Bernard Jr 45; Omari Banks 5-76.

The Trinidad Guardian says Brian Charles Lara will most likely not receive a new house, car or other such amenities from the State for his latest record-breaking feat.

Trinidad & Tobago sports Minister Roger Boynes, who is yet to discuss the issue with Lara, said the batting star had previously indicated that he was more interested in the development of cricket in T&T.

"I will be talking to Brian Lara to see exactly what will be some of his views and his ideas on how we can recognise his achievement," Boynes said. "Knowing Brian as I do, I know he will be looking at the development of cricket. I think he is more or less in that mode and that thinking."

is reporting that the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) will be implementing a three-year programme to implement a "fully operational semi-professional" cricket league by 2008.

First vice-president of the JCA Paul Campbell said the island's top club competition, the Supreme Ventures Super Cup, will be the "vehicle" through which the professional league will be introduced.

The primary aim is to provide financial rewards for players to such an extent that most, if not all, will be persuaded to play their club cricket at home instead of travelling seasonally to Britain and the United States to earn a living in professional and semi-professional leagues in those countries.

According to a CMC article appearing in several Caribbean newspapers, West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Ken Gordon says retainer contracts for a minimum of 10 regional cricketers will indeed be a reality by January 1, 2006.

Gordon's announcement came during a speech at the Queen's Park Cricket Club's annual awards ceremony and dinner. Gordon said the issuing of retainer contracts was one of the WICB's immediate goals to which the organisation had committed itself to achieving at the start of his term in August.

The Antigua Cricket Association (ABCA) wants the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (SVRS) now under construction to be its seat of office, but the government said it is yet to make a decision.

A CMC report quotes ABCA president Enoch Lewis as saying his association views the facility, which is being constructed for US$20.44 to stage matches for Cricket World Cup 2007, as the ideal place to assist with its development programme.

However, Antigua Sports Minister John Maginley said while the government is still to determine if the SVRS would be a cricket-only venue, the ABCA should seek a permanent venue, because the Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG) will still be used as a multi-purpose facility.