Rose still ruffled (2 July 1999)

2 July 1999

Rose still ruffled

The Barbados Nation

Kingston - Franklyn Rose says the West Indies Cricket Board's (WICB) decision to suspend him two months ago was justified.

But the Jamaican cricketer also continues to refuse to pay an outstanding hotel bill cited by the board during his suspension, the Gleaner newspaper reported yesterday.

The board's disciplinary committee said in May that Rose, 25, clashed with the team's management three times during last winter's Test tour of South Africa, which the West Indies lost 0-5.

The board said Rose did not pay his hotel bill, was unfit for the tour because of a shoulder injury and did not follow coach Malcolm Marshall's order to carry a container of water onto the field during a match in Cape Town.

It told the lanky fast bowler he would not be up for selection on the regional team until he pays the hotel bill.

"I was told that was why I was fined five per cent of my tour fee," The Gleaner quoted Rose as saying.

He said he believes the fine was sufficient to cover the hotel bill and he is reluctant to pay more.

"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.

Of the charge of not obeying the coach, Rose said he respected Marshall but he was asked to take out water when his shoulder was injured.

"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.

He told the Gleaner 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 not 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 team-mates. 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.

Still, Rose felt the punishment served a good purpose.

"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), watching younger bowlers, bowlers whom I am better than, playing in front of me."

Rose said he was now fit and was available for selection to the next West Indies squad.

"I have learnt from my mistakes, I know I have done a few bad things," he said.

Rose played in one of the five Tests on the tour, picking up career-best figures of 7-87 in his lone appearance in the third Test in Durban in December.

Source :: The Barbados Nation