Future of Lara and six others uncertain

Will Brian Lara feature in the forthcoming series against South Africa? © Getty Images

The ongoing sponsorship dispute between the West Indian players and the board failed to reach a conclusion, with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) taking the firm stand that seven players, including Brian Lara, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Chris Gayle, would not be considered for selection until their individual contracts with Cable and Wireless were properly inspected.

"In the board's view, the basis of discussion has to be to field the best team in the circumstances and not the best team at all costs," the board said in a statement. The confrontation between the two mobile companies, Cable and Wireless and Digicel, worsened with each blaming the other for a crisis which has been unresolved since last December. Digicel also rejected the proposals put forth by Keith Mitchell, the Prime Minister of Grenada.

"The board has noted various comments and recommendations made on behalf of the CARICOM prime ministerial sub-committee on cricket issued in a statement by the chairman of that sub-committee on the evening of March 11, 2005," stated the board. "The board also noted public statements issued by the parties involved. From these statements, it is the understanding of the board that the recommendations outlined in the prime minister's statement have not been agreed to by all of the parties."

The WICB did not mention when the inspection of contracts would be completed. However, the West Indies Players Association has indicated that it has been successful in getting the players to waive the confidentiality clauses in their contracts, thereby making it easier for the board to scrutinize these documents.

The board stated, however, that the home series against South Africa and Pakistan would proceed as planned, and that the West Indian squad for the first Test against South Africa would be named on March 17. It also stated that the board would commence inspection of the Cable and Wireless contracts of those seven players. "The purpose of the Board's inspection of the contracts is to ensure that the contracts do not impose on the players any obligations which could cause them or the WICB to be in breach of the sponsorship contract which has been executed between the WICB and Digicel.

"The players who hold personal endorsement contracts with Cable and Wireless - [Dwayne] Bravo, [Fidel] Edwards, [Chris] Gayle, Lara, [Ravi] Rampaul, Sarwan and Dwayne Smith - will not be considered for selection to the West Indies team until the board satisfies itself as to the nature of those contracts."