Some Good From Crisis, Says Holford (10 November 1998)

10 November 1998

Some Good From Crisis, Says Holford

by Haydn Gill

David Holford believes the crisis that nearly crippled West Indies cricket over the last few days may inspire the team to greater success on the historic tour of South Africa.

Speaking from the Excelsior Hotel in London last night, the chief executive officer of the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) said he was relieved that the impasse with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) had ended.

"The most significant thing that has come out of this is the unity that was shown by the players," the former West Indies manager and chief selector told NATIONSPORT.

"It will put them in very good stead for the tour. They were very strong throughout and South Africa will find them a tough side which is quite united."

The talks between the WICB and the WIPA ended after countless meetings over the last four days with the announcement that captain Brian Lara and vice-captain Carl Hooper would be reinstated.

They were sacked last Wednesday on the grounds that they had disregarded instructions from team management not to return to London after the Wills Cup in Bangladesh.

Holford said the team were in good spirits as they hurried to catch a South Africa Airways flight which left London at 9 p.m. London time (5 p.m. East Caribbean time).

"They were not as jovial as they would normally be, but they are very happy that the situation has been resolved. I'm also happy that we have reached a resolution to the impasse," he said.

"The players always felt that this was a very important tour. They were under pressure but they were always willing to make sure that things were resolved."

Holford did not sit in on the sessions between WIBC and the players, who were represented by WIPA president Courtney Walsh, vice-president Lara, Jimmy Adams and Hooper.

He said, however, it was a "pretty difficult exercise" for the players to put their case across.

Holford said both parties had a lot to learn from the crisis that had threatened to ruin the tour.

"The whole thing has done some damage to West Indies cricket. Both sides have areas to improve on, but out of this should come more mutual respect and understanding," he said.

"There has been some good and bad, but everybody has learned from it."

Concerning expenses incurred over the last few days, Holford said: "The expenses will be taken care of."

Source :: The Barbados Nation (https://www.nationnews.com/)