Capt Short tells Dinas to ‘simmer down’

ST JOHN’S: The West Indies Cricket Board is still awaiting a response from the West Indies Players’ Association to contractual negotiations ahead of the 2005 West Indies home series against South Africa and Pakistan. Following their directors meeting in Barbados a week ago, the WICB had set a deadline of Monday to conclude negotiations with WIPA aimed at securing retainer contracts, a collective labour agreement, a memorandum of understanding, a players’ code of conduct, and a match/tour contract.

“We have been told that we can expect a response from WIPA soon, and an announcement about the latest position will be made later in the week,” Roger Brathwaite, Chief Executive of the WICB, told CMC Radio Sports yesterday. The WICB has been at loggerheads with WIPA over players’ contracts in recent times, and wants to avoid any rancour ahead of the home series. Prior to their departure for a three-nation limited-overs international series in Australia last December, the WICB and WIPA were embroiled in a bitter row over players’ personal endorsements.
 
Meanwhile, Capt Peter Short, a former president of the WICB, has called for both sides to respect each other. “What we must have is the players showing respect to the board and the board showing respect to the players,” Short told CMC in a wide-ranging interview yesterday. “Both sides must realise that the only final conclusion should be an amicable settlement, where both the players and the board come to an understanding,” the Barbadian said. “The players must understand they need the board, as much as the board must recognise that they need the players. Standing alone, both the board and the players are nothing. As long as they keep that in mind, they’ll find a solution,” he said. Short added he was a little concern however, about what appears to be a hostile attitude coming from WIPA President Dinanath Ramnarine.

“He may think that’s the right thing to do,” he said. “He’s getting advice from lawyers and industrial relations specialists, but I hope he will simmer down a bit and not be too caustic because that does not do anyone any good,” Captain Short said. “At the same time, the board must realise that the players have a point, and without the players, the board is nothing,” he said. West Indies face South Africa and Pakistan in a combination of six Tests and eight limited-overs internationals between March and June this year.