Rose breaks silence (1 July 1999)

1 July 1999

Rose breaks silence

Fitzroy Prendergast

Franlkyn Rose hopes to get his cricket career back on track after the ill-fated tour of South Africa which left him at loggerheads with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and in international limbo.

The WICB's disciplinary committee stated after a meeting in May that Rose would not be considered for international duty again until an outstanding hotel account from the tour of South Africa was paid by the Jamaican fast bowler.

However, Rose said he was under the impression the five per cent fine on his tour fee imposed by the committee was to cover the cost of the outstanding bill and is reluctant to pay any more money.

"I was told (by the board) that I went away without paying my hotel bill in South Africa and that was why I was fined five per cent of my tour fee," Rose said when interviewed by The Gleaner earlier this week.

"There is absolutely no truth to the rumour that the board decided not to pay my hotel bill because of me bringing women into the room which may have led to me losing my money," Rose said. "It's the first I am hearing that, there is no truth to that."

Injury-plagued Rose participated in only the third of the six Tests in South Africa but captured career best figures of seven for 87 in that sole outing.

The 25-year-old pacer also stated the reasons for him having to face the disciplinary committee in Antigua.

"They summoned me to Antigua to answer three basic charges," he said. "The first charge was that I went on tour unfit. The second was that I disobeyed the coach and the third was that I did not pay my hotel bill.

Of the charge of not obeying the coach, Rose said: "I have a lot of respect for the coach (Malcolm Marshall). The coach asked me to take out the water when my shoulder was injured. The whole world knew that my shoulder was injured," he said.

"I did not go to the game to play. I knew that I was not going to play so I did not take any gear. When he asked, I told him that the doctor said I must rest my shoulder and he said if I did not take out the water then I should watch and see what was going to happen ... that was a threat to me," Rose said.

Rose said he did not have any money to pay his hotel bill.

I lost my money in the hotel room and I explained that to the hotel manager and the team manager. I simply did into have any money to pay my bills. 'Rose said.'

The whole team knew what happened. I do not know how my money went missing. I had to try borrowing money from teammates. It was a long tour everybody was running out of cash and it was tough. Normally the manager would cover it, but he did not, Rose said.

On whether he felt the punishment by the board was justified, Rose said, "yes".

I think this (the punishment) was good for me. It is going to make me come back ... go back to the drawing board.

I haven't played any competitive cricket since December. It's a learning experience for me. It was very painful watching the West Indies team play (at the World Cup), watch younger bowlers ... bowlers who I am better than playing in front of me. No disrespect to them, but I think I deserve a game.

I think my injury was the main reason why I was not playing (in South Africa and at the World Cup). Well, now I am fit and hopefully I will be selected when the next squad is chosen.

Rose is committed to picking up where he left of.

I just have to work hard. I have corrected my mistakes. I have learnt from my mistakes, I know I have done a few bad things. Hopefully, I will be injury free this time and have no problems, he said.

Source :: The Jamaica Gleaner