The West Indies Cricket Board’s continued silence even 48 hours should not be construed as its professed innocent-till-proven guilty position.
MUMBAI: The West Indies Cricket Board’s continued silence even 48 hours after a betting scandal involving one of its players hit the cricket world should not be construed as its professed innocent-till-proven guilty position.
There is clearly more to the WICB’s stoic silence than the principle of natural justice.
The WICB, it has been reliably understood, is under tremendous pressure from its players union not to take the allegation of betting against Marlon Samuels seriously.
The West Indies Players Association held a meeting with the WICB in Trinidad on Thursday and has virtually warned against taking any action on Samuels, who was caught on tape by Nagpur police giving away information about the first ODI between India and West Indies.
The WIPA has also asked the Board to give it a representation in whatever inquiry the WICB will initiate against Samuels.
Confirming the meeting, WIPA president Dinanath Ramnarine told DNA that the players’ body is strongly behind Samuels and would go to any extent to defend the player. He refused to dwell on WIPA’s demands .
However, WICB spokesman Tony Deyal said it would not shy away from taking action against the player if evidence was provided to them. “Our position continues to be the same. We’ve not received any communication from the International Cricket Council.
“Once we hear from the ICC we’ll act. But whatever action we take will not be without the involvement of our players’ association and of course, only after our own inquiry,” he said denying reports that an enquiry has been ordered.
Deyal denied any knowledge of West Indies captain Brian Lara coming to the defence of Samuels. Lara is presently in London and could not be reached for comment.
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