Calcutta: Stung by the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s stern measures, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has swung into damage control mode.
The BCCI, after its working committee meeting on Tuesday, decided to take the legal route and suspend all bilateral series with the Caribbean team following the West Indies’ pullout midway from the tour of India.
The WICB then held a marathon emergency board meeting on Tuesday itself and thereafter issued a media release through which it expressed “sorrow” for the events that led to withdrawal of the Dwayne Bravos from the tour. The Caribbean Board has also requested an immediate meeting with the BCCI to improve the fast deteriorating relations between the two Boards.
“The West Indies Cricket Board regrets, and is deeply embarrassed by the premature and unfortunate end to the recent tour of India. The WICB once again expresses to the BCCI and all stakeholders — especially the cricket loving public of the West Indies and India — sorrow for the events leading up to this development,” the WICB said in the media statement.
Tuesday’s meeting has been termed as a “careful and systematic review of relevant events” by the WICB. The decisions taken by the WICB in the meeting are:
To establish a Task Force, comprising critical stakeholders, to review the premature end of the tour to India. The Task Force will meet with all parties, including WIPA and the players, before reporting its findings to the Board of Directors.
To request a meeting with the BCCI.
To schedule an urgent debriefing with the West Indies team management unit.
To assure Cricket South Africa (CSA) that it will use its best endeavours to ensure a successful tour of South Africa as scheduled.
The last point, involving CSA, is interesting as it highlights the WICB’s fears that the events in India could have a far-reaching effect. The West Indies are scheduled to tour South Africa in December for a three-Test series with the first match scheduled from December 17.
Also, it’s not clear from the media release what would be the composition of the Task Force and the time they would need to complete the review of the events.
The media statement, however, makes it clear that the WICB has understood that it has drawn the mighty BCCI’s ire by letting the situation take an ugly turn.
“The WICB is mindful of the related decisions of the BCCI Working Committee. In light of the longstanding good relationship between WICB and BCCI, which goes back decades and has produced numerous mutual benefits, the WICB looks forward to meeting with the BCCI to discuss these decisions which can have serious implications for West Indies cricket,” the statement said.
Expressing optimism that a solution can be found, the West Indies Board said: “WICB believes that a way can be found to repair the damage that has been caused and to ensure that similar events do not recur, with the focus being on the betterment of West Indies and world cricket.”
The gravity of the situation has forced the WICB to request patience of the related parties. “The WICB thanks all stakeholders, particularly the ICC, BCCI, their broadcasters and sponsors for their patience and understanding in this matter and looks forward to the continuation of a strong relationship between our Boards,” the statement said.
