Sir Garry offers to solve impasse

THE GREATEST ever West Indian cricketer is willing to make himself available to help bring an end to the massive crisis affecting the game in the region. Sir Garfield Sobers is also hopeful that all the parties can come to an agreement to end the long-standing dispute that has led to the West Indies sending a second-string team to tour Sri Lanka. “I’m not that heavily involved in West Indies cricket at the present moment. I sincerely hope that something will be done,” he said on Thursday.

“I can certainly try and make myself a little bit more available, talk to a few more people and see what can be done to put West Indies cricket back on the map.” The legendary Sir Garry, technical consultant to the West Indies team since last November, was speaking at the Barbados Tourism Authority offices during the launch of the 19th annual tournament that bears his name. With the West Indies Cricket Board and the West Indies Players’ Association at loggerheads over several issues, including sponsorship and players’ endorsements, negotiations broke down on the eve of the team’s departure for Sri Lanka.

It led to the selection of a team that included only three of the original 13 invitees and the inclusion of six players without international experience. While not touching on the subject since he had only returned to the Caribbean recently, Sir Garry was hurt by the current state of affairs. “It is very sad what is happening in West Indies cricket at the moment and what has been going on for the last three or four years,” he said. “I’m sure they will find a solution in the future. Let’s hope it’s not too late,” he said.