‘A’ team players refuse to break ranks

Faced with a rebellion by their top players which has placed the forthcoming tour of Sri Lanka in jeopardy, the WICB were dealt a fresh blow yesterday.

After only three of the 13-man squad picked to travel to Sri Lanka in next week and no resolution to the impasse with the West Indies Players’ Association in sight, the WICB had hoped to co-opt the services of the "A" team members currently on the Asian island. It has been reported, however, that members of the "A" team are very reluctant to break ranks with their senior colleagues and sign the match/tour contract including the contentious Clause Five.

As a result of what has been described as the "hardline" attitude to a compromise solution to the impasse, the WICB will be forced to put together a "C" team to fulfill their obligations.

A West Indies team must tour Sri Lanka for the Two-Test and one-day triangular series involving the homesters and India or face serious penalties including fines and censure. The latest development comes about as the WICB have rejected the latest offer from WIPA. And according to a report in the Barbados Nation, the WICB are preparing to send out invitations to third-string players to tour Sri Lanka next month.

On Friday, Dinanath Ramnarine, president of the WIPA, said the WICB had rejected their latest offer to have the whole issue of match/tour contracts for the forthcoming trip settled by an arbitrator.

"The WICB have rejected this proposal, but have indicated that it will be sent to their legal counsel," Ramnarine told the paper.

"WIPA have proposed a further meeting between the parties even at this late stage to find any common ground and negotiate a resolution in the interest of West Indies cricket," Ramnarine said.

Only three players — captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul, rookie Trinidadian Denesh Ramdin and Jamaican fast bowler Darren Powell — signed the contracts by the Tuesday last deadline imposed by the board.

The First Test against Sri Lanka is scheduled for July 13 to 17.