Bermuda rubbish claims of player unrest

Clay Smith, Bermuda's captain, has slammed local radio and TV reports which suggested the country's players were about to strike over pay. The Bermuda Cricket Board has also rubbished the stories which it described as "complete fabrication".

Since Bermuda qualified for the 2007 World Cup, money has poured into the game. The government has promised $11 million over the next four years and the island will also benefit from Allen Stanford's investment in the Caribbean. The main players are expected to sign semi-professional contracts soon.

But the reports claimed that some of the side were unhappy with the contracts and were going to put their own demands to the BCB.

"We have a players' committee which is responsible for relaying any concerns the players have to the board," Smith told the Royal Gazette. "They have met with the board at least twice in the last month and there are absolutely no problems whatsoever.

"I can assure you that what was reported is completely untrue. Our contracts are currently being drawn up and we have had no issues whatsoever with the contracts or the way in which the Board has handled the situation."

Reggie Pearman, the BCB's president, added that as far as he was concerned, there were no problems. "I am not aware of any petition and we have spoken to numerous players' reps who also are not aware of it," he told the paper. "We believe also that we are on the verge of a financial package for the players which will be to the satisfaction of all."