Opponents attack USACA letter

Opponents of the official USA Cricket Association have attacked the letter sent by it to all member clubs defending the actions of Gladstone Dainty, its beleaguered president.

The letter, which was published at the end of last week, was signed by six of the Dainty-led executive. But critics were quick to point out that two of the signatories - Curtis Clarke and Michael Dupigny - were actually defeated in March's elections and only remain in place because Dainty disqualified the winning candidates.

The disqualifications are the major source of conflict. Dainty has previously claimed that certain background checks were not completed on time, but both disqualified winning candidates maintain that this was not the case.

One opponent pointed out that the letter actually brushed aside the USACA's own constitution. The comments regarding the suspension of Bobby Refaie - until recently the association's secretary - ignore the fact that the only way an officer can be dismissed is with a two-thirds majority of the board, and, it is claimed, Dainty was one short of that even allowing for the backing of the two disputed members.

Perhaps the most interesting things are what the letter does not say. It refers to working with the ICC to try to resolve the dispute but fails to state whether the executive are willing to be bound by the ICC's findings.

It also fails to make any reference to the meeting of the Council of League Presidents held in Dallas on April 16 at which the USACA was attacked on many fronts, and at which enough support was mustered to call a special meeting of the USACA on June 4.