Final squad for VB Series delayed

The announcement of West Indies' final squad for the VB Series has been delayed pending the findings of the arbiter who has stepped in to settle the contract dispute between the players and the board. According to the Barbados-based Nation newspaper, there was a 14-player squad, but an additional four players were put on standby in case four of those selected initially do not sign the proposed contracts.

Although it is not apparent what is causing the current delay, Dinanath Ramnarine, the president of the West Indies Players' Association, indicated that some concerns still remained. "We agreed to attend the training camp. We also agreed to wear the Digicel clothing during the camp," he said. "But the players are entitled to be compensated for this, and while they won't be paid during the camp, we will negotiate their fees with the board ahead of the Australia tour and include it in the tour payments."

Adrian Saunders, who is Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, is the arbitrator of the dispute. His conclusions are expected to be released at the weekend.