Aussies happy that WICB, WIPA settle dispute
Published:Thursday | October 15, 2009 | 12:38 PM
Cricket Australia has expressed delight with the news that the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and players have reached an agreement that should now pave the way for a full strength side to tour Australia next month.
Cricket Australia chief executive, James Sutherland said it was pleasing to see reports that there has been a breakthrough in the negotiations between the WICB and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA).
A joint statement by the WICB and WIPA on Tuesday said they had settled most of the issues that crippled West Indies cricket for the past three months.
Because of the contracts dispute, leading West Indies players had made themselves unavailable for the Bangladesh home series and the Champions Trophy in South Africa.
Officials of Cricket Australia say they were concerned about staging a home series against a weakened Caribbean side.
The Australians are scheduled to play three Tests against the West Indies in November and December, starting at the Gabba in Brisbane on November 26, as well as two 20/20 games and five one-dayers in February.