Ex-cricket boss backs WICB run out

Ex-cricket boss backs WICB run out
By COREY CONNELLY Sunday, February 21 2016

The decision by Caricom leaders to do away with the current West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and replace it with an interim body has received the “thumbs up” from stakeholders in the fraternity.

Former WICB president Bruce Aanensen yesterday said he supported the move.

“Something definitely needs to be done,” he said in a brief telephone interview from St Vincent.

Aanensen described as “unfortunate,” the fact that Caribbean leaders felt impelled to intervene to change the fortunes of the regional game.

“I didn’t think that governments should get involved unless it was a last resort but I support the move,” he said.

Former West Indies right-handed top order batsman Daren Ganga shared similar sentiments but suggested that the move by the Caribbean leaders was in response to “frustrations” with the entire process.

Saying he was deeply concerned about the state of cricket and the administration of the game, Ganga said the decision to disband the existing WICB was a “step in the right direction.” “What is needed is a powerful intervention and a certain amount of collaboration going forward,” he told Sunday Newsday.

Ganga said governments in each of the Caribbean territories had a role to play in developing the game.

“The impact of that can only better our state of affairs,” he added.

Upon his arrival in Trinidad and Tobago, on Thursday, from the 27th Intersessional Caricom Heads of Government Conference in Belize, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley told reporters that regional leaders had signalled their intention to scrap the WICB and appoint an interim body to revive the game.

Saying that the leaders would inform the International Cricket Council (ICC ) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of their decision, Rowley said a determination on the issue will more than likely be made in July during the regular meeting of Caribbean leaders.

WICB President David Cameron was yesterday quoted in a daily newspaper as saying that Rowley’s statement on the matter was “his personal opinion.” Cameron was further quoted in the article as saying that the WICB had not received any communique from Caricom stating that the existing board was to be replaced.

Former cricketer, footballer and national award recipient Sedley Joseph, said yesterday that the Caricom leaders’ decision was a good one.

“It is a good decision because there are always differing thoughts on how the thing should be run,” he told Sunday Newsday following the funeral for late West Indies cricket legend Andrew Gordon Ganteaume at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Port-of-Spain.

“The people actually involved in the game don’t always agree with the decisions of the Board. So, I think it is a good decision.” Asked if he felt the appointment of an interim body will serve to change the game’s fortunes, Joseph said, “Hopefully, we can’t get worst than it is right now.” Meanwhile, former president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) and ex-West Indies wicket keeper Deryck Murray, who also attended Ganteaume’s funeral service, declined comment on the issue.