Sport

D-Day for West Indies cricket

Keith Mitchell, Brian Lara and Teddy Griifith - file photos

st. george's, grenada, cmc

GRENADA'S PRIME Minister Keith Mitchell is still working assiduously to bring an amicable resolution to the sponsorship row that has thrown the West Indies cricket fraternity into crisis.

Since the meeting involving the major players in the dispute on Monday, reports suggest that Dr. Mitchell, chairman of the CARICOM sub-committee on cricket, has been working the phones in an attempt to find a solution to the impasse.

Dr. Mitchell indicated after Monday's meeting that by today he would be in touch with the parties involved "to inform them as how we see things and the exact solutions we intend to offer."

As a result, Dr Mitchell is expected to make an announcement today that should reveal a possible solution.

However, up to yesterday there had been no indication as to whether an agreement was in sight over the issue that threatens the South African tour of the Caribbean later this month.

Friday deadline

The WICB also set a deadline of Friday for the 22 players selected to train in preparation for the South African tour, to sign the letters of invitation offered them.

Last Friday, the ongoing sponsorship row between communications giants Cable & Wireless and Digicel escalated after West Indies Cricket Board president Teddy Griffith announced to the region in a televised address, that captain Brian Lara along with six other players would not be considered for selection for the upcoming home series against South Africa.

The seven players hold individual contracts with Cable & Wireless, which are thought to be in conflict with the US $20 million sponsorship the WICB agreed to with Digicel.