Players read the riot act

A well-wisher kisses Ramnaresh Sarwan as West Indies set off for England © The Nation

The riot act has been read to the West Indies cricketers, who have been warned that no form of indiscipline would be tolerated on the England tour.

New manager Mike Findlay said the players had been given a code of conduct handbook and anyone breaking the rules would be penalised. "They have a handbook with all the conditions that we are going to follow and all the rules and regulations," he said yesterday at Grantley Adams International Airport ahead of the team's departure for England.

During the recent World Cup, there were reports of indiscipline by members of the regional team and Findlay said he had already held discussions with the players about their conduct. He said his relationship with the players would be like how a parent would treat a child.

"I think a manager has to be like a father to the guys, meaning that he has to be able to reach out to them but at the same time, he has to be able to discipline them if they need to be disciplined," he said.

But the 63-year-old former Test wicket-keeper and former chairman of selectors said he wouldn't be like a Peeping Tom, following the players around. "I have no time for that. They are big men. They know what they are expected to do. Their primary focus in England of course would be cricket. What we've done, we've put together a vision for the redevelopment of West Indies cricket and a mission for the tour of England. That mission being to win 100%. That's what we're aiming for." He said it was time to reach that objective but it called for training, resting and eating properly.

New captain Ramnaresh Sarwan added that convenor of selectors Gordon Greenidge also had a meeting with the team yesterday morning while there was another meeting with some of the members of the West Indies Cricket Board on Monday night.

"He [Greenidge] was very straight-forward. Like he said in the selection meeting, he wants to see our cricket move forward and they don't want any form of indiscipline and stuff like that," Sarwan said. "I think the board has said it very clear that they are not going to tolerate any indisciplined behaviour and the management team also said to the players this morning and last night what they are looking forward to.

"But I just think that in everything you have got to draw a line. We are just hoping that nothing gets out of hand and everyone looks in the same direction."