WIPA hit back as war of words continue with WICB
Published:Wednesday | December 30, 2009 | 9:51 AM
President of the West Indies Players Association, Dinanath Ramnarine has hit back at comments by West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Chief Executive Officer Ernest Hilaire, as controversy continues over next month’s start of the regional four-day tournament.
In a release issued last night, Ramnarine reiterated the West Indies Players Association’s objection to cutting the season in half.
He argued that it left the West Indies playing the least number of domestic cricket matches of all International Cricket Council full member countries.
On Saturday, Hilaire launched a staunch defense of the WICB’s move to reduce the number of matches in the first class tournament from 14 rounds to 7. He contended the Board had taken this action based on its lack of finances.
Ramnarine, however, says the Board had given no financial details on the matter to allow a proper evaluation.
Ramnarine further said key members of the WICB played no role in the decision to cut the rounds in the championship.
Due to the reduction in rounds, Ramnarine says regional players were now being placed at a serious disadvantage internationally.
The season is set to bowl off on January 8 in Jamaica.