Ramnarine condemns board's direct contact with players

Dinanath Ramnarine, the president and chief executive of the West Indies Players Association, has expressed disappointment over Roger Braithwaite, the CEO of the West Indies Cricket Board, allegedly meeting the players during the second Test in Jamaica, without the prior knowledge of WIPA. Ramnarine, who had recently spoken of his association's commitment to improving relations with the board, said that the move was prejudicial to WIPA's stated intention.

According to The Trinidad Express, a WIPA release stated: "In this regard, WIPA is most disturbed and disappointed to learn that you [Braithwaite] met with the players sometime earlier today [last Tuesday] in Jamaica without our knowledge, reportedly to give an update of the negotiations between the WICB and WIPA and specifically the Retainer Contract."

It went on to say: "[WIPA] condemns such a meeting as we strongly believe that this is against good industrial relations practice and another attempt by the WICB to negotiate in bad faith.

"While WIPA is committed to building a relationship with the WICB, we intend to do it with mutual respect and will not accept that kind of behaviour by the WICB now and in the future," it continued. "We look forward to an urgent explanation on your meeting with the players last Tuesday."