The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : WIPA threatens action over Bravo row

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Friday, Jul 21, 2006

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Sport - Cricket

WIPA threatens action over Bravo row

PORT-OF-SPAIN (Trinidad): Star all-rounder Dwayne Bravo's failure to receive a retainer contract from the West Indies Cricket Board has prompted the players' association to threaten action.

Bravo was denied a retainer contract because of his personal endorsement contract with a telecommunications competitor of WICB's title sponsor Digicel.

Bravo will still be eligible for selection and match/tour contracts on a series by series basis, but he was excluded from the first list of West Indies players to be offered retainer contracts, including captain Brian Lara, vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan, former captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle, Corey Collymore, Fidel Edwards and Denesh Ramdin.

The board said its decision to omit Bravo was in line with agreements with the West Indies Players' Association and the world body representing international cricketers.

Real concern

But WIPA president Dinanath Ramnarine said he was ``greatly concerned'' with the move, and the board's decision to investigate Lara for comments he made about the selectors and pitch following the loss to India in the Test at Jamaica this month.

``The decisions taken by the WICB with regard to Dwayne Bravo and Brian Lara have significant implications for these players and, by extension, other members of WIPA,'' Ramnarine said in a statement on Wednesday.

Despite current agreements between the board and players, ``the WICB saw it fit to disregard them as its decisions contravene fundamental aspects of the agreements.''

``In the circumstances, regrettably, WIPA will have to take such steps as to protect the rights and interests of its members as we deem necessary.

However, we again appeal to the WICB to review its position and meet with WIPA in the interest of West Indies cricket.''

Disputes over player contracts between the players and board began at the end of 2004, and were brought up again during the recent home series against India. The longstanding clash forced West Indies to play second-string teams against South Africa and Sri Lanka last year.

The problems exacerbated the board's heavy debt, which it hopes to ease by organising a profitable World Cup next year.

West Indies' next assignment is defending its Champions Trophy title in India in October. — AP

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