West Indies cricket has climbed a bit and is being stabilised at the moment. Players are being contracted by the world's premier competitions. Not only should the players recognise this but both the WICB and WIPA as well.Nothing is wrong with wanting to restructure WI cricket, and the players agree, but why must this be done at the expense of a loss of earnings to the players? The modern day cricketer is required to make huge sacrifices in terms of being away from his home, his personal development and fitness, which all redound to the benefit of West Indies and world cricket.
History will tell us that our players have had to take drastic measures in order that they be properly compensated, and today is no different. From all reports thus far, it seems that their own WIPA colluded with the board to ambush them. These executives should understand that their strength and bargaining power comes from the players themselves who mingle with the best in the world both on and off the field.
Calling the players greedy is illiterate because they are to world cricket what Messi and Ronaldo are to world football, and many are involved financially with the development of youngsters. We should instead appreciate the value of this particular bunch of West Indian cricketers, as all over the world people do.The players felt betrayed by what constituted a breach of trust by their representative and asked their employer, who was a willing partner, to reconsider this arrangement but who refused, along with the refusal of calls to WIPA's executives, to resign.The players took a most heart-rending decision to abort the tour and as much as we don't like it, full blame must be placed at the feet of the employer who is ultimately responsible for regional cricket and who, it seems along with WIPA, were unprofessional and dishonest in signing this agreement.
Ramesh Marajh
Palo Seco