WICB, WIPA Mediation ends first phase
Published:Monday | August 10, 2009 | 9:18 AM
No settlement has been reached after the first phase of the mediation process to resolve the bitter dispute between the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) over payment and contracts.
The parties completed 24 hours of intense discussion yesterday with mediator Sir Shridath Ramphal who said he was disappointed.
However, Sir Shridath said he felt encouraged that both parties wished to continue the mediation process in the hope of reaching a comprehensive settlement of their differences.
The second phase of the mediation process is now being pursued, with further critical discussions slated for later this month.
The dispute between the players and the board left a makeshift team representing the West Indies in the recent home series against Bangladesh after the original players who were selected boycotted the series.
Little-rated Bangladesh won both Test and One Day International series against the Caribbean side.
The board has already named an inexperienced squad minus most of the top flight players for the Champions Trophy in South Africa in September.
The top players had made themselves available for selection a few days after the squad for the Champions Trophy was named.