Windies ‘A’ team tour called off
Trinidad Guardian
Thursday 28th June, 2007
BY VINODE MAMCHAN
THE WEST INDIES ‘A’ team tour of Zimbabwe has been finally called off by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).
After weeks of battle between the WICB and the West Indies Players Association over the tour, the board has finally agreed to call off the tour and is expected to make a public announcement soon.
It is understood that after Caricom Heads of Government stated that they were not in support of the tour, the board could not find players who were willing to tour and hence decided on the move.
The WICB had gotten assurances from the Zimbabwe Cricket Board and the government of Zimbabwe that it was safe for the players to tour the politically volatile country.
The WICB also stated that on June 5 they received an okay from Secretary General of Caricom Dr Edward Green that it was safe for the players to tour.
However, earlier this week, Grenadian prime minister Dr Keith Mitchell, who is chairman of the Caricom-appointed sub-committee on cricket stated that they were not in agreement of the team travelling.
Mitchell was quoted as saying that the young players needed to be nurtured in a caring environment and this was not present in Zimbabwe. He called on the WICB to arrange a tour with another country to fill the breech.
WIPA president Dinanath Ramnarine also investigated the situation across in Zimbabwe and said his association was not in support of the team travelling there.
Ramnarine said that top ranking public officials in Zimbabwe had advised him against agreeing with the board to send a team to Zimbabwe.
Original choice of captain Sylvester Joseph also told the board that he was not touring and they handed to captaincy to Daren Ganga who had led the senior team in England. Ganga also turned down the offer.