Cricket with Dalchand Bissoon 

The West Indies tour of India has been called off by the West Indies Cricket Board due to an　ongoing dispute between the players of the ODI squad and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA).

According to the WICB, it was left with no option but to cancel the tour after the players informed the board through the team management that they would return home.

In a release, the WICB “clarifies that players in the West Indies Squad currently in India represented by Mr. Dwayne Bravo indicated to the WICB through the West Indies team management that the players have taken a decision to withdraw their services for the remainder of the tour of India and as a result of this action by the players, the WICB was left with no　option but to advise the BCCI (Indian Cricket Board) that it will no longer be able to provide a West Indies team for the remaining five matches, (the fifth One-Day International, one T20 International and three Test Matches.”

The BCCI in a media release says it is holding the WICB responsible for what they called as an “abrupt”　termination of the tour. The Indian  Cricket Board pointed out that the WICB”s inability to resolve the growing differences between the players and WIPA  over unresolved contracts and a pay dispute led to the crisis.

The walk-out by the West Indies players after the fourth ODI in Dharamsala last Friday upset the BCCI who stated　they are considering legal action against the WICB and also reviewing future bilateral series against India.

West Indies Chairman of Selectors Clive Lloyd has apologised for the one-day side’s abrupt walk-out and says the players have made a mistake.

“I want to talk about West Indies. I apologise for the team leaving. We have great affinity with India and its people. We have many great players starting their careers here in India,” Lloyd said.

“It’s unfortunate we left and I hope the damage is not irreparable.”

India won the five-match ODI series 2-1 (two cancelled).

  BCCI, cricket, sports, West Indies, WICB