NEW WICB CEO UNDER PRESSURE FROM WIPA
THE WEST INDIES PLAYERS' ASSOCIATION (WIPA) has "utmost concern" with comments by incoming West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) chief executive officer Ernest Hilaire regarding the captaincy of the regional team.
Cricinfo, the sport's most popular and informative website, recently reported that while Hilaire welcomed a partnership with WIPA, he raised doubts over whether Chris Gayle would be the man to lead the team once the current contracts dispute was settled.
In a media release yesterday, WIPA said it considered Hilaire's statements to be disturbing, adding that whether he was representing the views of the WICB or articulating his personal views, the comments should be taken seriously.
"WIPA believes that his comments - whether representative of the WICB or personal - could well be considered prejudicial to the integrity of the selection process and have the potential to impact on the process of the appointment of an individual to the important position of West Indies captain," the WIPA release said.
Hilaire, the head of St Lucia's local organisng committee for the 2007 World Cup and a former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports in St Lucia, is set to take up his position as WICB chief executive officer on Thursday.
In his interview with cricinfo on the captaincy, he said: "It is for the selection committee to discuss and make a recommendation to the board. Chris has said in the recent past that he is not that interested in playing Test cricket anymore.
"I'm very open-minded, and I am not sure what the selection committee is thinking. But I would have thought in light of recent reports it would be wise to ask him the meaning of his comments."
The players' body also stated that it believes that the system which exists within the WICB where the selectors are appointed by the WICB and report to the chief operations officer, who functions under directive from the chief executive officer, is relevant in this regard.
"WIPA hopes that Dr Hilaire's comments are not meant to serve as groundwork for the eventual victimisation of Mr Gayle with regard to him being re-installed as captain of the West Indies team - a position he performed in with significant success during his almost two-year tenure," WIPA added.
"With regard to the selection and appointment of other players as we move forward, this is to be carried out in accordance with the agreed provisions under the recommendations of the CARICOM Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee On Cricket.
"WIPA will therefore closely monitor this seemingly developing issue as we move forward and WIPA assures the cricketing public that it will do everything to protect its members from any form of victimisation at any level."