WICB Owes T&T Board $800,000

The revelation that the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) is bankrupt has brought to light the fact that the parent body, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), owes the local board TT$800,000.

According to a report in the Trinidad Guardian the outstanding money was one of the causes that led to the organisation running an overdraft of $300,000.

"The West Indies Cricket Board normally gives a subvention to the territorial boards to run their cricket every year. With the financial difficulties facing the WICB, we were forced to run into overdraft, while taking care of cricketing needs in T&T," the official said.

After it was reported that the TTCB was in the red, the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, in conjunction with the Sports Company of T&T (SCOTT) handed over a cheque for $591,540 to assist with the national senior cricket team's preparation for the 2005/2006 Carib Beer-sponsored first class tournament, and to assist with further developmental programmes.

Sir Everton Weekes believes that Dwayne Smith should be an integral part of the West Indies team and should not be sidelined despite some modest returns on the international stage.

In an interview with the Barbados Nation, Weekes said: "Dwayne Smith has tremendous ability there is no doubt, but he needs discipline. I watched him and he's very, very talented. He can bowl, he can bat well and he's a good fielder. And they tell me he can also keep wicket."

"The young man has superb co-ordination. I remember the hundred he made in South Africa, but since then he seems to be going backwards. I would not do away with him, though. I would play him until he comes to his senses. He must understand you can't be a pilot and make runs."

In eight Test matches Smith has so far managed 282 runs at 25.63 per innings. Of that total, he has struck 196 runs in boundaries ? 40 fours and six sixes.

According to a CMC report appearing in the Jamaica Observer, West Indies opener Chris Gayle is hoping to be fit enough to take his place in the Jamaica team for the third-round Carib Beer game against Trinidad and Tobago on January 6.

Gayle, who recently did surgery in Australia to correct a longstanding heart problem said the procedure went well and he had been given four weeks to rest before returning to "light training."

A contract dispute has once again prevented a West Indies cricket team from taking the field, according to a report out of Florida written by Gordon Williams.

The report said the a West Indies Players Association XI, comprising 14 former Test stars such as Jimmy Adams, Stuart Williams, Keith Arthurton and Nehemiah Perry, did not show up at Brian Picolo Park in South Florida, United States after the players did not receive promised appearance fees prior to leaving their nearby hotel for the grounds.

The West Indies team was scheduled to participate in a 20/20 tournament, organised by Major League Cricket (MLC) in the U.S. but declined to turn up after the organisers could not come up with the agreed appearance fees.

However, the West Indies team is not to be blamed for the no-show, tournament organisers explained, claiming that the problem was caused by sponsors pulling out at the last moment, thereby making the players' fees unavailable.