Possible 20/20 SuperStar Match Conflict

The possible conflict between the Stanford Super Stars match against South Africa and the West Indies' tour of Pakistan, overshadowed the announcement today of the 20 players selected by the Stanford Legends.

Included in the 20 are several players who are likely to be involved in that tour of Pakistan, which gets underway in November.

The cash-rich 'winner takes all' Stanford Twenty/20 match is scheduled for November 10 in Antigua, while unconfirmed reports indicate that the West Indies is due to arrive in Pakistan around November 7 -- two days after the Champions Trophy final. West Indies are the defending champions of that tournament.

While Clive Lloyd, speaking on behalf of the Legends, said that members of the Stanford Super Stars final 14-man squad who are selected to the West Indies team will be replaced by other squad invitees, financier R Allen Stanford was quick to clarify the situation regarding the possible conflict.

"We cleared all of this with the ICC and with the WICB in terms of having a clear date in November that would not be in conflict. We have this in writing from January. The date for the Pakistan tour was announced after we were told that our one night, 20-over match would not be in conflict," Stanford said.

"I want to make it very clear that, as someone who has now committed US$41 million, that I went into this with a conciliatory tone and attitude with the WICB. I met with Ken Gordon three times. Now it is unfortunate that they scheduled the Pakistan tour to coincide with our 20-over match with South Africa that was previously agreed to."

Stanford said that he does not want to be the least bit disruptive to West Indies cricket. "We will, as always bend over backwards and be subservient to the WICB," he added.

Turning to the 20-man squad announced, it predictably combines a mixture of youth and experience. The youngsters who have been rewarded for impressive performances in the tournament are opening batsman/wicketkeeper Andre Fletcher who made the most runs, fiery fastbowler Nelon Pascal and left arm spinner Dennis George all from Grenada; Keiron Pollard from Trinidad & Tobago; and Tonito Willett from Nevis.

Also included in the squad, which gathers for the start of the three-week training camp on August 20 in Antigua, are West Indies opener Chris Gayle and fastbowler Jerome Taylor. Five team captains have been included ? Wavell Hinds (Jamaica), Ramnaresh Sarwan (Guyana), Daren Ganga (T & T), Rawl Lewis (Grenada) and Darren Sammy (St Lucia).

Wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh, who opted out of the current West Indies 'A' team tour of England to play in the just concluded tournament, gets a place on the squad. Asked what would happen if a player decides he wants to play in the South Africa clash, Stanford again showed his disappointment with the possibility of not having an optimum team.

"I would hope we could field the optimum team, to have the optimum chance. It would be most unfortunate if some of these players were not allowed to play in the Stanford 20/20 to give us all the energy and the spirit and the excitement, and uplift the whole region and also to be rewarded for playing professional sport," he said.