Dinanath Ramnarine, president of West Indies Players' Association (WIPA), feels the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has disrespected the players and the spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding concerning the proposed A-Team tour of Zimbabwe.

The A-Team is set to tour Zimbabwe between June 30 and July 26, for a series of three 'unofficial' tests and two limited-overs matches.

"It is very unfortunate that the WICB would go to everybody else and then come to us - the most critical people - last," he told reporters attending a news conference.

"We have a role and a responsibility to protect our members and we will continue to do so. You can go on any website and you can see what is taking place in Zimbabwe."

Ramnarine believes it was important for WIPA to do their own investigations and they have consulted a number of people on the issue.

"We have spoken to the players' associations from around the world," he said. "We have spoken to a high-ranking official in Zimbabwe.

Volatile situation

"We have spoken to someone who has been closely associated with Zimbabwe cricket. They have all advised us that the situation in Zimbabwe is very volatile and they are very concerned about the safety of our players."

Ramnarine indicated that they had received two pieces of correspondence from the WICB regarding the players' safety in Zimbabwe, but he was unconvinced.

"Obviously, it is very difficult for us to look at these two documents and say that we will go on tour because they have convinced us," he said.

"We felt we have done enough research, and coming out of it, we have enough concerns about the players' safety.

"People are now working for food in Zimbabwe, and most importantly, speaking to some of the players who we are guessing may be on the team - since we still do not know its composition - the players are very concerned."

Ramnarine said the WICB could have avoided confrontation if they had sought WIPA's assistance in the matter.

"We would have expected that with such a serious situation, the WICB could have said to WIPA this is the team we are thinking about sending to Zimbabwe, could you discuss it with us and find out whether they would have been comfortable going," he said.