Lara available, Sarwan and Gayle eligible

Brian Lara will be back in action in the second Test against South Africa © Getty Images Enlarge

After weeks of high drama, the sponsorship dispute between the West Indies cricket board and the players has finally come to end, with the board directing the selectors to consider Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Dwayne Bravo and Fidel Edwards for selection for the second Test against South Africa, due to begin on April 8 in Trinidad.

The change in board's decision was triggered by the self-termination of Cable and Wireless contracts by Gayle and Sarwan last week, followed by a notification from Cable & Wireless to the board regarding the termination of individual contracts of Bravo and Edwards. These four players were dropped from the squad because of a conflict between individual sponsor (Cable & Wireless) and the team sponsor (Digicel).

The board also said that Brian Lara had agreed to accept the board's invitation to join the team, which he had earlier refused due to the ineligibility of other players.

The West Indies Players' Association have issued a statement giving their assurance of no further disruption to the ongoing Test series against South Africa, but added that it would continue to protect the rights of its members vigorously.