Dinanath Ramnarine

Dinanath Ramnarine was a flat-trajectory legspinner who at one time seemed to have a glittering future ahead of him, but some average international performances and brushes with those in a position to influence selection led to him retiring at 28. In 12 Tests he took 45 wickets, not bad in an era of decline, and he was a consistent performer for Trinidad. But in his final Test - against Pakistan in 2001-02 - he had an on-field disagreement with Carl Hooper, the captain, and he also rubbed some people up in his hands-on role as president of the West Indies Players Association (WIPA). He found himself marginalised, despite solid domestic returns, and he quit in frustration to pursue his WIPA role fulltime. "I haven't been chosen for the West Indies for the last two years and I don't think it was because of my performances on the cricket field," he said. "I believe the whole Caribbean knew what was taking place but everyone basically allowed it to happen." He led WIPA with passion and commitment, but soon found himself in direct conflict with a West Indies board not being used to being challenged, and player disputes became more regular as both parties tussled for power. In 2007, under the new regime headed by Julian Hunte, he was invited onto the main WICB board. It lasted just two years, however, and he tendered his resignation citing yet more issues with retainer contracts and payments for players.
Martin Williamson March 2009