Cricket South Africa (CSA) and Cricket Australia (CA) have strongly objected to the WICB's decision to charge a release fee in order to provide a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) to Caribbean players participating in overseas Twenty20 tournaments. The WICB had decided to impose a levy of 20% of a player's contract fee, which it says should be paid by the host board in order for West Indies players to participate in their T20 tournaments. The news came to light earlier this week when it was leaked that WICB informed Kieron Pollard, on November 3, that he would not be given the NOC to travel to South Africa for their domestic T20 tournament, where he plays for the Cape Cobras.In a subsequent media release on Tuesday, the WICB issued an explanation of its decision, which it said was a policy move made by its board of directors. But later in the day, WICB chief executive Michael Muirhead said Pollard had been granted the NOC without any condition. Muirhead added that the WICB would carry on the dialogue with the other boards. "While we do not wish to act in restraint of trade, we must seek a balance to ensure that there is fair and adequate compensation for the investment made in the players," the WICB release said. "What WICB seeks is some compensation to recognise the investment made into players, an investment from which another Full Member is benefitting." However, other boards disagreed. Both CSA and CA said they did not support the proposal and pointed out that it was recently tabled for the first time by the WICB, but not agreed upon, at the Cape Town round of ICC meetings held in October.
VIJAYAWADA, India, CMC – Another batting failure saw West Indies Women crash to a disappointing six-wicket defeat to India Women, in the opening One-Day International of the three-match series here Thursday.
Opting to bat first, the Caribbean side’s batting woes continued from the recent series against England Women, as they slumped to a paltry 131 all out off 42.4 overs at the Mulapadu Cricket Ground.
Former captain Merissa Aguilleira top-scored with a defiant, unbeaten 42 off 77 deliveries but was one of only three batsmen in double figures, with teenaged opener Hayley Matthews getting 24 and captain Stafanie Taylor, 19.
The damage was done by left-arm spinners Rajeshwari Gayakwad, who finished with four for 21 and Ekta Bisht, who claimed three for 14.
West Indies Women were 63 for three in the 17th over but collapsed to lose their last seven wickets for 68 runs.
WICB Press Release: St John’s, ANTIGUA – We acknowledge that the matter of player release fees is between full-member boards and should never be seen as an issue with players who wish to play in other jurisdictions. We at the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) recognize that the global cricket industry has changed and we would like to place the following on record:
1. We would always like all eligible players to participate in our regional tournaments to ensure the highest quality of competition
2. We are aware that over the last three years, the number of domestic Twenty20 leagues has increased and there are now eight, including our own Caribbean Premier League. This means that there are now year-round lucrative opportunities around the world for West Indian cricketers, competing with WI regional competitions and sometimes even with WI international cricket. At present, there are 18 players in seven leagues.
3. Unlike some of the other ICC Full Members, WICB is not able to match the level of contracts that players can earn playing outside of the West Indies, while maintaining the levels of investment necessary to ensure and nurture future generations of West Indian cricketers and the sustainability of West Indies cricket
4. We have an agreement with two Full-Member boards – the BCCI and the BCB - for player-release fees
5. The release fees form part of an overall contribution to the continued development of: a. The six franchises and clubs represented b. High Performance programme c. Training and development of technical officials d. Women’s cricket e. A-Team tours f. A comprehensive under-19 programme and are split between WICB, the Territorial Board and the club within the territory with which the player is registered
6. WICB is seeking to encourage other ICC Full Members to recognise the impact that players leaving the West Indies to play in domestic T20 leagues has on West Indies cricket and to work with WICB in finding a solution to the challenge of securing the best cricketing talent with the limited resources available.
7. WICB has made numerous appeals to the individual member boards, We will continue to have these discussions with the full member boards to resolve as soon as possible. We would like them to follow the precedent already set.
8. The WICB will continue on its quest to develop its player to help our teams maintain top positions in each format of the game. We need the best mix of financial and human resources at all levels to achieve those goals.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – West Indies allrounder Kieron Pollard has been granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to play in the upcoming Ram Slam T20 competition in South Africa, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) confirmed yesterday.
The confirmation from WICB president Michael Muirhead contradicts an earlier report from ESPN cricinfo stating that Pollard was denied an NOC for the tournament starting on Friday.
During an interview on Massy United Insurance’s Line & Length Network, Muirhead said it was never the board’s intention not to grant Pollard an NOC, but rather explain to him why the process on this occasion was taking longer than usual.
“It was not denying him any NOC, it was explaining to him why it was taking longer. Normally, we would have responded so in seven days he would have gotten it,” explained Muirhead.
St John’s, ANTIGUA - The influx of various domestic Twenty20 tournaments raises an interesting opportunity for a player to significantly maximize his earnings. WICB however, having invested in developing a player’s talent, is not able to realize a return on its investment if the player is not available to play in local tournaments, which would allow lesser experienced players the opportunity to face more experienced and skilled opposition, thereby improving on the standard and competitiveness of the domestic tournament.
In addition, the player is unavailable to mentor and develop younger players and to otherwise contribute to the overall growth of the game and its development infrastructure. It has become a system that disadvantages nations like the West Indies which have traditionally developed players who are particularly skilled in the shortest format of the game. In the end, it compromises the standard of the WICB’s international team and that team’s performance internationally. The primacy of international cricket is threatened (Article 32A, ICC Regulations).
The Professional Cricket League (PCL) four-day and Super50 tournaments along with being able to offer contracts to 90 additional players in the first-class category are a direct benefit of this agreement. This also includes the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), the region’s domestic Twenty20 tournament.
The Board of Directors of WICB, has taken a policy decision on the issuance of NOCs, to which it has communicated its stance to all ICC Full Members’ CEOs and Presidents.
The WICB will levy a charge for the granting of an NOC for West Indian cricketers seeking a release to participate in Leagues outside the jurisdiction of the West Indies.
