Staff Writer – Archi
Sports news. In an unprecedented incident in world cricket, the West Indies cricket team abandoned their tour of India following an internal dispute and decided to fly home after Friday’s fourth One Day International.
The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) signed a new agreement last month covering pay and conditions but it was rejected by the senior players, including their One-day captain Dwayne Bravo who claimed they were kept in the dark. Bravo shot a letter to the board demanding WIPA chief Wavell Hinds’ resignation.
The players subsequently issued a strike threat before the first ODI but eventually took to the field. As the issue was not resolved and the board did not heed to Bravo’s demand, the players refused to take any further part in the bilateral series.
They were supposed to play one more One-dayer, a Twenty20 International and three Test matches. “The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has informed the BCCI of its decision to cancel the rest of its ongoing tour to India because of a dispute with its players, and has advised the BCCI that its players will return home immediately,” BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel said in a statement.
Patel said at 2pm on Friday, West Indies team manager Richie Richardson sent a mail to him, saying that the visiting players have decided not to continue with the tour.
Beleagued Wavel Hinds. Photo courtesy www.camperdownclassic.com
“17 October – 2:00 pm: Mr. Richie Richardson sent a mail to the BCCI stating the following: ‘Despite agreeing to play the 4th ODI in Dharamshala, regrettably, the current West Indies players have decided that they will not participate any further in this tour and wish to return home after this match.
“In light of this, I suggest that the entire squad travel to Delhi tomorrow and be booked into a hotel there, until international return flights have been booked. On behalf of the entire squad and WICB, I apologise for the inconvenience caused’,” Patel quoted a mail sent by Richardson.
It was a rare sight on Friday Bravo turned up for the toss before the fourth ODI with the entire team accompanying him in what looked like a show of strength.
“My team is standing behind me, it’s been a tough situation…it’s time we have to make a decision,” said the 31-year-old all-rounder.
The abrupt withdrawal, however, angered the world’s richest cricket board with the BCCI flaying the decision.
“The BCCI is shocked and extremely disappointed at the decision taken by the WICB,” Patel said. “The WICB’s inability to resolve internal issues with its players and allowing the same to affect an ongoing bilateral series does not reflect well on any of those involved.”
Patel said the Indian board had made several appeals to the WICB to honour its commitment and complete the tour.
“The BCCI will pursue all options available to protect its rights, whilst seeking appropriate action from the ICC to ensure that its interests and those of the game at large will not suffer any damage due to such acts of indiscretion,” he added.
The Indian board moved swiftly to fill the void and within hours convinced Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to send a team for a five-match ODI series starting on November 1.
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