West Indies::R.I.P.

[Occasional Fan]

Yep, it's a mess all right! Certainly I see that Digicel cannot restrict activities of a player unless there is a direct contract between them and the player or there is a contractual route through the WICB whereby the WICB and the player agree that the player cannot have a sponsorship deal with a competitor of the WICB's own sponsors. From what you are saying, it sounds as though neither of these positions applies. Even so, if I were Digicel I'd still be a bit miffed - even if I had no contractual grounds for that! Whatever the position is though, I think we'd all agree it needs sorting out before the South Africans arrive. WI without the players named further up in the thread is a shadow of what it should be. Shame.

[Ninjaman]

Originally Posted by Occasional Fan

Yep, it's a mess all right! Certainly I see that Digicel cannot restrict activities of a player unless there is a direct contract between them and the player or there is a contractual route through the WICB whereby the WICB and the player agree that the player cannot have a sponsorship deal with a competitor of the WICB's own sponsors.

Exactly.

And since such a deal doesn't exist, do you see how bad it is to have players and player's unions being blamed as the ones in the blame??

Now central contracts which would have stopped this argument before it started, have been talked about by all and sundry for years now. But the board has dragged its feet and only now got its voice when Digicel has prompted.

The only reason Digicel is sponsoring WI cricket is because prior to that it was sponsored by Cable and Wireless.

The player who stands to gain as the new WI captain if Lara and co. are not selected is Chanderpaul.

Guess who he has a personal contract with??

When WI went to England, Sarwan was the VC. At the VB series it was Chanderpaul.

What did Sarwan do to deserve the chop?

It becomes quite clear that Digicel have thrown money around to not only sponsor but reserve the right to informally pick who plays.

By leaning on the WICB, they have forced them to drop a few players who have been their only saving graces in the last few years (with the exception of Chanderpaul).

The only way Lara and co. will get back in is if THEY loosen their ties to C&W or sever them completely. Digicel and WICB hardly have to do nothing in regards to compromise.

From what you are saying, it sounds as though neither of these positions applies. Even so, if I were Digicel I'd still be a bit miffed - even if I had no contractual grounds for that! Whatever the position is though, I think we'd all agree it needs sorting out before the South Africans arrive. WI without the players named further up in the thread is a shadow of what it should be. Shame.

Digicel have every right to be miffed but they knew the situation before they signed on the dotted line.

But we agree on one thing.

Something must be done.

[Zainub]

But we agree on one thing. Something must be done

No one would disagree on that front I think.

And for years on in I kept thinking that the PCB was the most incompetent cricket board of all cricket playing nations, at least now I know that in the shape of WICB they have a board that if nor surpasses but atleast rivals their icompetence

[Occasional Fan]

Now steady on, Zainub! What about the ECB?

[Paoli]

Originally Posted by Occasional Fan

Now steady on, Zainub! What about the ECB?

Incompetent boards!! Almost all of them:

England
Zimbabwe
Pakistan
India
South Africa
West Indies

Only Australia, NZ, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka save themselves...

[Teatime FatCat]

Haven't even the Aussie board had some embarrassing situations of contracted players pay over the last couple of years?

Seriously though, Digicel are a sucessfull business, I can't think they didn't look at all eventualities before sealing the deal with the WICB - either that, or they've been incredibly nieve over their expectations of the players.

[Paoli]

Forgot about the Aussie board...Not in the same boat as England---for them only one word needs be mentioned; Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe Board, everything, player pay, racism, inability to handle a situation of any kind; South Africa; racist attitudes alleged; Pakistan; dodgy handling, India; Jalmoghan Dalmiya and West Indies; Well...this about sums it up.

[acker]

Originally Posted by Zainub Razvi

No one would disagree on that front I think.

And for years on in I kept thinking that the PCB was the most incompetent cricket board of all cricket playing nations, at least now I know that in the shape of WICB they have a board that if nor surpasses but atleast rivals their icompetence

Slightly off topic Zainub

But are Pakistan still letting Afghanistan play in their domestic competition, I liked the original concept because it sounded as if Afghanistan had some good players ?

On topic the West Indies must become a priority for the ICB and the ICB fianances, as this is the only multi-national team in international cricket.
And still a bridge head for future development in both the North & South Americas.
It would be a disaster for every international competition, if one that had formerly flourished went bankrupt. But at the same time a line must be drawn in the sand to ward off incompetency of the "cricket board".
Maybe some kind of international cricket board administration for a set period of time with garraunteed fianances to the West Indies domestic competition during it may be the answer.

[Zainub]

Originally Posted by acker

Slightly off topic Zainub But are Pakistan still letting Afghanistan play in their domestic competition, I liked the original concept because it sounded as if Afghanistan had some good players ?

No, Afghanistan are not playing in our domestic competetions, where did you hear that they had some good players? In recent times the only new team added to our domestic competetions is the team from Quetta. They've got one or two good players.