Cameron: Bravo’s destiny in his hands

The 28-year-old was sent home from the Tri-Nation series (involving Sri Lanka) in Zimbabwe last November for a breach of contract — an offensive tweet directed at Cameron.

He was left out of the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force team for the current Regional Super50 tournament and the TT Cricket Board (TT CB) noted that Bravo will be recalled to the local-based franchise squad after he met with the WICB.

During a WICB Townhall Meeting at the Preysal Secondary School Thursday, Cameron noted, “My understanding is that Mr Bravo has met with the executive of the WICB and the ball is in his court, as to whenever he is willing to come back and play cricket.” Asked specifically if he received an apology from Bravo over the tweet, Cameron reiterated, “the ball is in his court.” Cameron, during an interview on regional television network SportsMax, said that Bravo was offered a grade C contract since his Test average had slipped over the past year. Bravo slammed the WICB boss on Twitter, calling him a “big idiot” and denying ever being offered an ‘A’ retainer contract.

Another TT left-handed batsman who has been in the bad books of the WICB is Nicholas Pooran, who was banned from the 2016-2017 Regional Four- Day and Super50 events after signing with the Khulna Titans in the Bangladesh Premier League, instead of honouring his contract with the Leeward Islands Hurricanes.

Cameron said, “the WICB, with WIPA (West Indies Players Association), has formed a tribunal and Pooran would have the opportunity, through his representatives, to appeal the decision.” The WICB head insisted that Pooran knew of the repercussions of his actions before opting to feature in the Bangladesh T20 contest.

The tandem of Cameron and Emmanuel Nanthan will remain at the helm of the WICB, as president and vice-president respectively, when the regional governing body stages their elections in March.

The duo has not been opposed, according to a media release from the WICB recently.

And Cameron, outlined what he hopes to achieve during his third consecutive two-year term as president.

“What we see as a successful third term is successfully transitioning Cricket West Indies, which we’re very close to doing now,” said Cameron, “finalising our High Performance Centre which is in Antigua — our office would be in Antigua as well; creating that dual partnership agreement with our players; and, most importantly, getting our finances in order, in a sustainable way.” Cameron, who replaced Dr Julian Hunte at the helm in 2013, has been embroiled in numerous controversies, with players, regional leaders and coaches.

As far as it concerns regarding the relationship between the Board and players, Cameron insisted, “we are not in charge of the players.

It is incumbent of the players to have their own management. It is incumbent of the players to use the Players Association.” He added, “players have grouses all over the world, not only in the West Indies.

Right now, the Australia Cricket Board are negotiating with their players.

It’s been going on for six months.

“We’re encouraging our players to take (up) their issues through different avenues — industrial relations practices.” Cameron stressed, “our core values — integrity, respect, excellence, teamwork, inclusiveness, accountability — that’s what we stand for.

We’ve wavered a lot of times in the past but, going forward, we’re not wavering any more.

We just want to continually communicate with our players that that’s how want to operate.”