WIPA accepts Caricom plan, pledges to re-start talks

The West Indies Players Association (WIPA) has accepted the recommendations made by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to try and resolve the contracts dispute that has rocked West Indies cricket and said it will do all it can to ensure its implementation and restart negotiations under this process.

On Friday, a meeting of political leaders in the Caribbean put forward a series of recommendations to WIPA and the West Indies Cricket Board. One of those recommendations was for players to make themselves available for selection in accordance with normal WICB requirements, in particular, participation in the regional tournaments. Another was for the WICB to agree to the television/image rights fees (sponsor's fees) traditionally paid to players pending the special arbitration on this issue to facilitate the signing of retainer contracts by October 1 this year.

"The West Indies players and their representative organisation WIPA are fully cognizant of cricket's role in the Caribbean and want to state clearly our commitment to any process that seeks to return West Indies cricket to its prominent status in the world game and will do its utmost to make this possible," the WIPA said in a statement.

The recommendations arrive in the aftermath of failed negotiations between the WICB and the WIPA under the mediation of the CARICOM-appointed Sir Shridath Ramphal. The contracts crisis reached its height when senior West Indies players boycotted the home Test series against Bangladesh, and the WICB fielded a makeshift team which was also retained for the Champions Trophy.