Windies contracts controversy: Board denies using pressure tactics

The West Indies board has denied the allegation that it pressurised or threatened any of the players to sign the contracts to play for the national team in the series against Sri Lanka.

Daren Ganga, the captain of the West Indies A team which is currently in Sri Lanka, had stated that some of the players were "pressured one-on-one as well to sign a contract", but the West Indies board dismissed those claims.

"Any such behaviour by any member or officer of the Board would constitute a clear breach of WICB policy," the board said in a media release.

"In this regard the Board has asked the manager of the West Indies "A" team in Sri Lanka, Mr Lyndel Wright, for a full report with respect to an article attributing comments to the captain of the team, Daren Ganga.

"All players contracted to tour Sri Lanka with the West Indies senior team signed their contracts freely, accepting the opportunity to represent the West Indies, despite strenuous efforts to prevent them from taking up the offer."

All but two players from the A squad - Tino Best and Kerry Jeremy - had initially refused to sign the contract, instead signing a letter expressing their solidarity with their senior colleagues.

However, Ganga alleged that a divide-and-rule policy by the board broke that resolve. "We held together as a team and all of a sudden some guys were pressured. We had situations where guys were pressured one-on-one as well to sign a contract. It undermined the entire trust of the team."

Xavier Marshall, Ryan Ramdass, Runako Morton, Dwayne Smith, Narsingh Deonarine and Jermaine Lawson subsequently signed contracts to play with the national team, while Trinidad & Tobago Express reported that Ganga, Marlon Samuels and Dave Mohammed stuck to their original stand.

Ganga also stated that the off-the-field issues were a major reason for the team's capitulation in the second unofficial Test in Colombo, which West Indies A lost by an innings and 16 runs.

[Cricinfo]