JCA shoulders arms in Gayle fight

[Sir X]

JCA shoulders arms in Gayle fight
From the Sports Desk
With Hartley Anderson
Sunday, July 03, 2011



CHRIS Gayle is hurting. In a release to the media on Friday, the hard-hitting West Indies batsman reiterated a suspicion he is being tactfully marginalised by the regional cricket authorities, despite doing yeoman's duty for the team over the years.
After perusing the content of a gut-wrenching but interesting seven-page document from the ball-beating former captain, and even moreso in the aftermath of a deafening silence by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), it is clear something is gravely wrong with the administration of the regional game.
Painstakingly meticulous in tracing the sordid history of the impasse between himself and the WICB, and in particular, CEO Ernest Hilaire, the essence of Gayle's argument is that the Board has concocted a conspiracy to keep him out of the West Indies team permanently.
From Gayle's perspective, the situation is in stasis as the protagonists of the Machiavellian scheme aimed at his cricketing future have the final say in a matter skilfully passed off as disciplinary, but which there is little attempt to resolve.
In painting a poignant picture of abuse of authority, miscommunication and victimisation, Gayle ironically -- perhaps heroically -- re-emphasised his interest, willingness and even eagerness to resume playing for the West Indies, despite being dumped after returning from the World Cup


Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport...#ixzz1R30N7ELM

[Peter R]

It is patently evident that the WICB among other things doesn't care about fans, in particular those who would attend the games. As explained by (forget the Bajan's name ) the reason why the Board can afford to have test matches in St Kitts and Dominica for example is that by far the majority of its earnings come from TV rights. He said the Board earned an additional $20M US from TV rights by squeezing in a 3rd Test against India. Originally slated for a two test series, apparently the Indians wanted three and sweetened the TV deal by the aforementioned sum. Because of that we saw in this series FOUR of FIVE ODIs being played on a weekday. The first test started on a Monday (in JA) if I remember correctly, NOT one weekend day was available for paying fans! and this recently concluded Test started on a Tuesday.

Most people who now watch are doing so via TV or internet, but the neglect or disdain towards the paying public will surely kill the game or at least wound it more. Fan attendance is now secondary because receipts from paying fans at the matches could never garner the amount of cash they earn from TV. In the short term WICB might earn good money (and we know it takes cash to care), but they should also find compromises to facilitate an atmosphere that provides support for the team in the endeavour to build back the game. There surely has to be less of an home advantage when there seemingly are as many and as vocal visiting supporters as there are home supporters in the stands. I don't think the Board has built this into their "rebuilding " equation. I for one couldn't understand why not even one of the ODIs in T&T was not scheduled for a weekend as I would have attended... unfortunately this was not to be.

[Karl]

Remove the spectators from the game and the atmosphere disappears...followed by the TV audience.

trus mi dat dere atmosphere is communicated to the fan watching the TV and it a big part of making 'the watching' enjoyable = worth paying for...

[Sir X]

Karl you dont understand the 800b Gorillia , they are fanatics , they will pay to watch india play in an empty stadium , if the WICB can get a 20 mill screw the fans , now lets hear them talk about caring for W.I cricket and patriotism? Hypocrytes they serve the WICB interest , not the fans or regions.

The indians laughed at me and told me they sent a B team to play the West Indies we are on par with Kenya and Zimbabwae in their eyes.The BiG MAN from india, tendukhur didnt even bother he is on vacation....lol....imagine a westindian player telling its board that and guess what he will be recalled for the big games no problem to fill the stadiums , against Australia, Pakistan , Sri Lanka and England.

[Sir X]

Guyana president asks Caricom to back Gayle

Big News Network.com (IANS) Sunday 3rd July, 2011

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Guyana's President Bharrat Jagdeo has said that Caricom governments should heed the call from embattled West Indies opener Chris Gayle, and intervene in the impasse between him and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

He also called for term limits for WICB boards and said there needed to be a system that held them accountable.

'It comes back to who owns West Indian cricket. The Board thinks it owns West Indian cricket, my belief is that it belongs to all of us, the people of this region,' Jagdeo told a news conference Saturday.

He said the WICB operates as though they are the 'private owners of West Indian cricket' and are helping to contribute to its demise.

'Many countries when you have failures consistently, the board goes because sometimes they are the problem. Here it does not seem as this is going to happen,' he added.

Gayle released a statement Friday lamenting his continued exclusion from the West Indies squad. The 31-year-old former West Indies captain said the situation warranted the intervention of regional heads of government.

'I appeal to the heads of government of Caricom to do something about this situation. West Indies Cricket is different from the West Indies Cricket Board,' he charged.

'West Indies cricket and West Indies cricketers need help. Since you are the people who represent the fans and all the other stakeholders, it is time for you to act.'

Gayle's signal to Caricom comes after a meeting with top WICB officials in Jamaica last month failed to resolve the standoff.

A subsequent WICB directors meeting also failed to find a solution, with the board stating only that its management 'will continue efforts to resolve the issues with Gayle.'

'I think they should, I think the Caribbean heads of government should get involved,' said Jagdeo, who earlier this year, publicly demonstrated with West Indies middle order batsman, Shivnarine Chanderpaul in his dispute with the West Indies coach Ottis Gibson.

Jagdeo said what irked him most was 'the unpredictability of this board'.

'Chris Gayle is being treated unfairly by the West Indies Cricket Board. You cannot tell him anything, he needs to earn too and then you have a tour upcoming and when he goes off, he gets another contract then you concern that he has left the region.

'I think it is a vendetta against those guys who stood out, (Ramnaresh) Sarwan, Chris Gayle and a few others who held out with WIPA (West Indies Players Association) some time ago when they asked us to get involve at the level of heads.

'They (WICB) have decided to humble them,' Jagdeo said.

He also hit out at head coach Ottis Gibson who has been criticised by both Gayle and Chanderpaul in recent weeks.

'I am blunt about it, (Gibson) who played I think two test matches (is) telling Shivnarine Chanderpaul how he should bat,' he charged.

Jagdeo said his position on the issue had nothing to do with the fact that Chanderpaul was a Guyanese national, but solely on the fact that he was regarded as one of the best batsmen in the world.

'Shivnarine Chanderpaul has the second highest runs in the West Indies ever after Brian Lara and you would have someone who probably have five runs ... coaching a person who at this stage of his career to change his batting style and when he speaks out about it ... I have this suspicion they are trying to break him.'

'This can't be right. Something is wrong. It is all about pettiness and the culture of going with people who are compliant and I think we need to change a lot of these people.

'We need to have term limits there too,' Jagdeo said in apparent reference to the Guyana Constitution that bars him from being elected for a third consecutive term.

'We need to have serious term limits on these boards,' he added.

--IANS/CMC

[Sir X]

WICB calls Gayle "antagonistic and unrepentant"

Submitted 3 hrs 11 mins ago

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The West Indies Cricket Board has reacted angrily to Chris Gayle’s outburst against it, saying the explosive batsman was “antagonistic and unrepentant” during meetings called to sort out differences with him. The WICB’s reaction came after Gayle called the body a “sham and a mockery” and accused its chief Ernest Hilaire of trying to destroy his career. But the WICB rejected his claims. “The WICB reiterates its stated position, that there is a history of difficulty in communicating with and relating to Mr Gayle and wishes to bring this matter to a resolution; but from his latest statement and his expressed views in the meetings with the WICB it would appear as though he is of the unshakeable view that he has conducted himself impeccably,” the WICB said in a statement. “The WICB insists that his conduct cannot simply be swept under the carpet as is the apparent desire of Mr Gayle,” it added.

[Sir X]

Can't reinstate Gayle on his terms: WICB
Bridgetown (Barbados) |Sunday, 2011 3:35:05 PM IST



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The impasse between the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and Chris Gayle continues with the board making it clear that he cannot expect to be automatically reinstated in the team on his "inflexible take-it-or-leave it" terms.

In a strongly-worded statement, WICB said Saturday it is disappointed by the "continued unprofessionalism" shown by Gayle and that he has been "antagonistic and unrepentant" over the entire issue.
Gayle is at loggerheads with the board over his exclusion from the early part of series against Pakistan and his subsequent criticism of the board. He has since been left out of the squad for the ongoing series against India.
WICB and Gayle met to sort out things, but the matter has not been resolved.
Gayle came out with a statement Friday saying he will explore the opportunities available to him elsewhere since he can no longer wait on the WICB to resolve their differences.
"From his latest statement and his expressed views in the meetings with the WICB it would appear as though he is of the unshakeable view that he has conducted himself impeccably. The WICB insists that his conduct cannot simply be swept under the carpet as is the apparent desire of Mr. Gayle," WICB said reacting to Gayle's statement.
"His position is that he has nothing to account for and expects to be automatically re-instated to the West Indies team whenever he decides that he is available."
"As previously communicated to Mr. Gayle, the WICB wishes to ensure that his services remain available to West Indies cricket, but not at any cost and not on his inflexible take-it-or-leave it terms," WICB said.
The WICB said it has made every effort to resolve the issues with Gayle in an amicable manner by proposing meetings with him and his representatives.
"The WICB is disappointed by the continued unprofessionalism being displayed by Mr. Gayle in dealing with this matter."
"It does not help that whilst matters are under discussion, Mr. Gayle, rather than expressing his views directly to the Board through one of the numerous channels open to him, chooses instead to make public his version of events and to create further antagonism."
The WICB added there is a history of difficulty in communicating with and relating to Gayle and wishes to bring this matter to a resolution."
"The WICB reiterates its stated position, that there is a history it has written to Mr. Gayle making it clear that it is willing to seek a compromise resolution.
"Even though at a follow up meeting between Mr. Gayle and the team management, the Head Coach (Ottis Gibson) indicated what was required to assist in his return to the West Indies team, Gayle has refused and has demonstrated no inclination to compromise; instead he has been antagonistic and unrepentant in the entire process.
WICB said it will continue its efforts to meet Gayle and resolve all outstanding issues.
--Indo-Asian News Service av/vm

( 498 Words) 2011-07-03-15:15:05 (IANS)

[Willi]

No bullies will stop us now, we wont beg and we wont bow..

Neither can be bought nor sold.