NEW MEASURES IN WEST INDIES CRICKET

WICB STRESSES THAT IT WILL NOT BE 'BUSINESS AS USUAL'

 

Ramnaresh Sarwan Appointed Captain for England Tour

 

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua - The WICB at a Special Meeting in Barbados, on Sunday April 29, reviewed recommendations for a New Vision for West Indies cricket submitted by a group comprising Directors, members of the Cricket Committee, selectors and management. 

 

 

The Board agreed to adopt the best practices proposed by the group and send a clear signal that the way forward will be characterised by a renewed emphasis on confidentiality, accountability and performance.  The Board endorsed the view that in future it will not be "business as usual".  In this context the Board agreed that future agreements with the players will be based on a performance remuneration package

 

Following a presentation by the Convenor of Selectors, Gordon Greenidge, the Board, after lengthy discussion, unanimously accepted the nomination of Ramnaresh Sarwan as Captain for the UK Tour.  Mr. Sarwan will join the other Selectors in Antigua to select the team for the tour and to meet with the President of the WICB, Mr. Kenneth Gordon and the CEO, Mr. Bruce Aanensen. 

 

The Board also endorsed the view of the selectors, conveyed by Mr. Greenidge, that they intended to make adjustments and send a strong message to the whole squad.  The Board emphasized its concern that the team selected for the UK Tour should reflect the new vision and the policy for rebuilding.

 

Director Clive Lloyd, Chairman of the Cricket Committee, has been asked by the Board to focus all his efforts on drawing up recommendations for the rebuilding process.

 

The Board also supported a recommendation to eliminate any conflicts of interest which exist and to adhere to the Code of Ethics signed by all members.  Additionally, recommendations for an Academy system, plans for improving the standard of regional cricket, a review of the Youth Tournaments and "A" Team tours, and a calendar of cricket for the period 2007 - 2008 will be reviewed at the next Board meeting.  The Board has requested that a complete report on Cricket World Cup be made available before that meeting.

 

CEO Bruce Aanensen briefed the Board on the status of discussions with the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) on the England Tour, and with the Stanford 20/20 organisation on a proposed regional and international 20/20 tournament.

 

The resignation of the President was then tabled.  The President withdrew from the meeting which was then chaired by Vice President, Val Banks.   The Board agreed to ask the President to withdraw his offer of resignation and invited him to complete his term of office which expires at the next Annual General Meeting of the Board. 

 

In accepting the request to continue, the President exhorted all Board members to publicly acknowledege that the WICB had fully accepted responsibility for whatever disappointments or errors of the past which may have occurred.  This was accepted by the Board.  Following this, the President said, "With that behind us, the Board can now fully enforce accountability throughout the organisation." 

 

The squad for England, as well as the Team Management, is expected to be announced on Wednesday, May 2, 2007.

 

:: windiescricket.com