Digicel criticise review leaks

Group marketing director Ben Atherton said, "We feel that release of such unofficial reviews and leaked information does not serve the best interest of West Indies cricket or the objectives of the WICB sponsorship review committee in helping move forward West Indies cricket in a positive manner."

He made it clear that Digicel "have cooperated to the fullest extent with the sponsorship review committee’s initiative established by the WICB, and respectfully await the official review" of the report by WICB president Ken Gordon and the full WICB.

Atherton said his company entered into the sponsorship contract with the WICB in good faith, with a view to encouraging a return of WI cricket to its true potential."

He later pointed out Digicel is committed in helping WI cricket move forward in a positive manner, "a development which will be welcomed by all parties and we are offering our support to both the WICB and WIPA."

And it has been reaffirmed that Digicel as principal sponsor of and total commitment to West Indies cricket, is only partially reflected in their substantial financial investment made to the WICB through the five-year home and away contract of US$19.75 million.

After noting an incentive/player bonus worth US$6.65million and a Digicel awards fund which is an additional US1.04 million, Digicel said they expect to commit a minimum of US$25 million on top of the contract fee to activate the sponsorship, "meaning that the company will invest a minimum of US$45 million or US$9 million per year in WI cricket over the next five years to bring the team back to the top of world Test cricket."