Captain Chris Gayle led withdrawals from the Bangladesh series

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has now said cricketers who boycotted the first Test against Bangladesh must apologise by Wednesday.

If not they will not be considered for September's Champions Trophy, one of three major tournaments run by the International Cricket Council.

The West Indies Players Association (WIPA) had said its members were no longer prepared to play without contracts which led to 13 players pulling out of the series against Bangladesh, including regular captain Chris Gayle and vice-captain Denesh Ramdin.

Financial consequences

However it appears the WICB has made a decisive stance in the long-running feud.

"In going forward, the WICB is requesting that you write to us to apologise for the embarrassment you caused West Indies cricket, the financial consequences involved, and also indicating your interests and availability," stated the WICB in a letter to the protesting players."

But WIPA has refused to apologise to the board.

The association cited a long list of grievances which it says need to be resolved.

In a statement, it claims the WICB "lost $3m as a result of breach of agreement, spent $1m dollars in the courts in London unsuccessfully defending a legal action" as well as "made an out-of-court settlement with a broadcaster for breach of contract".

Amid the wrangle the Windies were able to field a side for the first Test against Bangladesh.

	Former player Dinanath Ramnarine now leads WIPA after retiring

The visitors are scheduled to play two Tests, three one-day internationals, and a Twenty20 international on their five-week tour of the Caribbean.

The WIPA president Dinanath Ramnarine said the players played their last four tournaments without a contract.

"They are now being asked to play their fifth consecutive series without a contract, which is highly unacceptable," he said in explaining the boycott.

Sponsorship

The board in turn said that it had offered contracts but the players had failed to sign.

WIPA previously threatened strike action during England's tour of the Caribbean in March.

It is also in dispute with the board over payments and fees for the tour of England in May, the Twenty20 World Cup and the recent four-match ODI home series against India.

In 2005, 10 West Indies players, including captain Brian Lara, boycotted the tour of Sri Lanka. That time the row between the WICB and the players' association was over sponsorship.

The series took place with replacements brought in, but the tourists ended up losing 2-0.

Reaction to the strike appears to suggest that attitudes to both the players and those who run the game may be hardening.

Read comments in regional papers in 'Press Review' (in Local Links on the right)

What's wrong with the players wanting or making more money?
We need to understand the world of professional sport. Why should a portion the world's best settle for less compensation than their counterparts on opposing teams? - Just because they're from the WI I suppose?
The organisation and leadership of a world-class calibre product should never allow themselves to be exposed to such failures as seen by the sustained levels of "unprofessionalism". What's exhibited by the current cadre of practitioners that make up WI cricket falls nothing short of a disgrace. ALL PARTIES SHOULD BE CALLED TO ACCOUNT!
Shame on you West Indies cricket!
Geton Withit
Castries, St Lucia

I have read many coments fromvarious persons from around the region ho love the sport of cricket. That's just it, they love the sport. The players have an issue and most people are saying they love money, well, who doesn't. Look at the other big named sports around the World, they pay millions for seasons, games, etc. The players have a right to strike if there is a reason to do so. There needs to be an inquiry into the whole issue. It takes one back down the road of Slavery or Dictatorship, do what I say and do not question anything, I know what's best for you. But, at the same time these people are making lots of money from the hard work of others. This is not right to accuse the players for just being there for the money. In the end people have to think rational, and be objective about the entire issue. I think the Governments in the region have a say in this whole thing; I am certain that they contribute financially to the Sport. And we the fans and people of the region must demand a swift and acceptable conclusion to this issue.
Alden
St Kitts & Nevis

I am hurting so badly to see what West Indies cricket has become. I just wish that those concerned would put their personal preferences on the side and realise what they are doing to West Indies cricket. The West Indies board need to put themselves on the outside and take a serious look at the state of West Indies cricket. I don't understand what is going on. West Indies seem to be on the wrong of all records in international cricket. They travel all over the world, by now they should be able to see the difference between the West Indies and the rest of the world. Please do it for West Indies cricket sake and for the sake of the many West Indies fans. I know that it is unbelievable, but there are still many of them all over the world.
Skeno
Salisbury, Dominica

The players are too greedy. why didn't they sign their contracts before the IPL League????? Was it that they did not want to get tied up with the WICB and would have to get the said WICB permission to play in the IPL?
Look guys, you need to give and take. You have been under performing so you should not complain too much about pay. Mind you, i do agree that you should not play without a contract, but why now? according to the WICB, this contract was available for signing for quite sometime now and you did not sign it. For the love of the game and your fans, let by-guns be by-guns and return to play.
MB
Dominica

Another play of big island versus small islands. Had these two tests been scheduled for Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad or Guyana, these players would have never striked. Both WIPA and WICB are dysfunctional, but we need to realise that its no longer the game of glorious uncertainties but professional athletes getting the biggest contracts possible while giving us, the cricket loving caribbean, the least possible effort.
Kevin
Kingstown, St Vincent & the Grenadines

What I really believe about West Indies is that we have a few very good players but a horrible team. The current strike just shows that too many players think of themselves and not of the team and the west indian fans, i see playing for the West Indies as representing your country and it should take a lot of pushing to make you put your country in this position.
Courtney
Barbuda

Once again the WICB has shown that it may require the proverbial "Wild Horses" to drag them into the 21st Century, as clearly the WIPA cannot.
Again it looks like the WICB, which is run as a private cabal, will need to go into arbitration with the WIPA and that they have learned nothing from the previous seven visits, all of which they have lost.
Cricket has moved on across the world, but not it seems in its administration in the Caribbean.
This dispute is not about money, but about terms and conditions.
Who does the WICB report to? It can't be the ICC, who I recently called requesting a copy of the WICB constitution, only to be told they don't have one. Yet they have a copy of every other cricket board who make their available on line. If it is the country governments, then time has come to make it clear that there is "no confidence" in them and that they should all stand down and let others more in touch with cricket in the 21st century lead the organisation.
Kennie Williamson
Clapham, England

If these so called players were having the game and fans at heart and not the big bucks things would have been so different. They have all became self made millionaires that's great but come not for the love of money but for the love of the game. The board has to be blamed for this outright mess. They are the ones who played with the players instead of being standing up to them.
Andrea Moore
Berbice Guyana

I must say that it seems that both sides may have a point to argue, but we the people of the region expect better of both sides. I would say that if this was a company and we should look at it as a business both sides might have lost their jobs. Both sides get paid to perform work and at this stage both are not working and the shareholders should now ask them to leave. No man/player is above the game and the region that they represent. Let us look at other regions and we will see that the best and greatest have to leave if not performing according to contractual agreement. I would now say that the Board and the players in dispute must now be given their walking tickets and have new persons in both sides. The younger players need this chance now and not just the bigger islands but look for the best player the region all over and then we will get the best team. Also, WICB needs to get enough players to have 2 professional team to play various games and this is the way to go as far I think as a sports person.
Curtley
St Kitts and Nevis

I'm with the WIPA. The Board should support them, not the other way around.
Valerie Crotty
Arlington, USA

The WICB continues to treat the players as if they are a bunch of juvenile delinquents or children entitled to little or no opinion on the conditions in which they function. We all should respect our employers, but it's also true that authority is given, but respect is earned. If recent history is any judge, it is certainly understandable why the players do not have any respect for this Board. Instead of the constant yearnings for the good old days and the appeals to pride v money, there is a need to understand that this Board is stuck in an administrative mindset better suited to the 1950s,than to the business model which the more successful Boards have adopted. In spite of our protestations, none of us would perform at optimal level if we are cursed to be managed by an inept, irresponsible and petulant boss. The idea that a large salary should result in a high level of productivity absent the supporting structures needed flies in the face of reality. There obviously is blame to go around, but there seems to be a reluctance to deal with the core administrative issues while pointing the finger at the players.
Len
USA

Like most West Indians I share the anguish and pain of not being able to see the first choice test team compete. These guys are too obsessed with money and not with performing consistently at a high level. This is the worst West Indies team ever and yet they arte the best paid and what do we have? A bunch of underachievers. Shameful.
George Maxwell
Goodwill, Dominica

Personally, I think that both WIPA and WICB are damaging West Indies cricket. The Board has made a number of errors over the years, and it seems to me that the present senior players care very little if at all about the development. To them it seems to be, let's get all we can, as we may soon have to live without cricket. Both groups are paying out well needed money to lawyers while so much time is been wasted.
Sadly, both groups need help or maybe for the good of West Indies cricket, should both leave our game like right now.
George Davis
Kingston, Jamaica

Why shouldn’t the player get paid and a working contract. It looks as if the problem has come from the board and this just breaks down the game of cricket so much more. I wonder if the board really knows what they are doing. Being a lover of the game, I must say cricket in the Windies is DONE!!! What next are we going to kill in the Caribbean?
Rasron Tafari
Mandeville
Jamaica/T.C.I
Why cannot this contract matter between WICB and WIPA be put on the Caricom's agenda for detailed discussion and resolution? Is cricket not an important 'economic contributor' to the region? Caricom is having so many summits just recently to discuss regional integration and freedom of movement of nationals travelling within the community. Why cannot this cricket matter be part of their next Summit?
Narine Soam
Winnipeg, Canada
Editor’s note: The matter has been referred to Caricom.

The situation between the WIPA and the WICB is long overdue. However, WIPA is doing more than called for; if they bargain for performance contract then Mr Ramnarine and the WIPA would do justice - some of these players play for the money, not for the love of cricket.
Prem Sitaram
New York, USA

The WICB has typically used any pickup team to drag the proud name of WI cricket into the dust. The question is why no contract yet for any of the matches. The excuse that the contract was offered and not signed is certainly not the end of the matter. Keep trying to get this matter sorted with passion.
Ishri Rampersad
St Joseph, Trinidad

Chris Gayle is not a true West Indian patriot; he plays solely for himself, not for his country or WI fans.
He made his intention crystal clear this spring when he arrived in England a mere 2 days before a crucial Test which, as we all know, ended in crushing defeat.
The likes of Gayle must never again be tolerated in the West Indies.
These chaps are an abject embarrassment to the great history and tradition they inherited and entrusted to uphold.
I am sickened by the thought that they walked out because of money.
Is Chris Gayle hurting for money, really?
These (cricketers) will never ascend the heights the greats who came before them reached, men who made substantially less and who had to hold part-time jobs to feed their families.
What a crying shame!
Ron Saywack
Calgary, Canada

It is amazing that these guys get paid so much money for so little work. They have so much off time it is ridiculous. Lesser mortals have to spend endless years at university and then work until they are 62 to make the money these guys make in 5 years. I am prepared to listen to their arguments when they start winning something. It seems they even have trouble winning the toss. In any other work environment they would have been fired already.
Joel
Basseterre, St. Kitts

These guys are never serious. One can only see where their concern lies. You know your contract in not signed, yet you go and tour the world, and now you are (what I would say) refusing to give your Caribbean folks/fans a show. I share the sentiments of Brother Martin from St. Vincent. I stand strong with WICB.
Ike S
Dominica

I have absolutely no doubt that there are challenges on both sides, WICB and WIPA, that need to be addressed. However, when you compare the players of the past to those of today with regards to the quality of play, attitude and compensation, our players today leave much to be desired. With the exception of Chanderpaul who seem to play for himself only these days, they are a bunch of underachievers, have extremely poor attitude, lack discipline and yet are compensated so highly. Yes the WICB must put its house in order. While doing so it must seriously bring discipline to all aspects of the players’ game. Look at Gayle as captain in terms of how he dresses, ridiculous and this permeates the entire team. Discipline the team.
Martin
Kingstown, St Vincent

There is a saying; "A bad workman always blames his tools". Well, that is the West Indies Cricket Board. I am sure every man on the board has a contract signed, sealed and delivered before they took up their post. They get paid too, so why should the players play with no contracts? Why are they not getting paid the money owed to them? Why is it always the WICB vs WIPA? I can't ever remember the players ever acting that way before. It is only since the WICB sold our players back into cricket slavery to Digicel that all these problems arise. Why can't our Players have different sponsorships like the richer cricket-playing countries? Our players need their contracts this is their job and their life.
If we had listened to Brian (Lara) and our players then, we would not be in the mess that there is now.
The WICB are the ones who needs to apologise for the embarrassment they have caused to the Caribbean people, not the West Indian cricket team, NOT the players.
Mary Jane Bernard
Wembley, Middlesex, UK

I share the shame of most Caribbean folks; I also no longer follow the game. Thank goodness, I have witnessed our "Glory Days" of international cricket, which contributed immeasurably to the social and political development of The Caribbean Peoples. God only knows who our current crop of young people regard as THEIR heroes: certainly not our cricketers; cricket administrators; or our "political leaders". There is an obvious - and potentially dangerous- vacuum, which is being filled by other sports/heroes/diversions/lifestyles- not all of which are socially healthy, and cloud the future of our young people.
Tony Webster
Bridgetown, Barbados

I was really shocked when I heard about the dispute between the WI board and players. After a long time, the Windies team was looking good, and it was expected that in near future we would see a glance of same old West Indies team. I think the Windies board hurt the fans from all over the world. I’m from Pakistan and great fan of the West Indies team. I hope the dispute will be settled soon and we can see the real team back in action. Inshallah.
Sohail Kayani
Rabigh, Saudi Arabia

I am lost for words why Windies is the laughing stock of international cricket. I have spent thousands of pounds over the years to watch and follow my beloved WI team play. I am all for players’ rights and better pay, but when will it end? Hence, I will call for performance-based contracts.
J Benjamin
Leeds, England