Time running out for West Indies on Zimbabwe tour

Dinanath Ramnarine: accused the board of 'a certain level of disrespect to the players and their own welfare' © T&T Express

Confusion over the West Indies A tour of Zimbabwe remains more than a week after Cricinfo revealed that the players' association (WIPA) had said that it was against the trip going ahead.

In the six days since then, little progress appears to have been made. The West Indies board (WICB) has requested documentary evidence from WIPA to back up claims that it had been told that the players' safety was a major concern.

WIPA, in turn, has declined to provide this as much of the evidence it has gathered has been given on the condition of anonymity, especially from sources within Zimbabwe. Cricinfo has seen one mail from a senior politician which said: "While I personally would love to watch the West Indies A team play in Zimbabwe you will do more for the game of cricket generally and in Zimbabwe if you decide to decline the invitation."

The two sides remain firmly entrenched. WIPA is adamant that is has the full backing of players, and Cricinfo is aware of several who have already said they are not prepared to make the trip, although The Nation reported that it has spoken to others who were keen to go. The WICB has assurances from Zimbabwe Cricket that safety is not an issue.

The relationship between WIPA and the board is almost non existent, as commented on in yesterday's arbitration ruling, and this is hampering progress.

Tony Deyal, the board's corporate services manager, told The Nation that a decision was imminent. "Whatever decision is taken will be taken seriously and in the best interest of all the players," he said. "We are waiting for [WIPA chief executive Dinanath] Ramnarine to get back to us. If he doesn't, we have to make a decision and we hope to make it by tomorrow [Thursday].

"We've asked WIPA for the sources of their information. This is not a competition. We are dealing with an issue where we are very concerned," Deyal said. "There are not two sides in this thing. There is only one side. The question of safety of the players. What we are trying to ascertain is what information WIPA has that we don't have. We have all the assurances of support and safety."

WIPA is also unhappy that despite claims from the WICB that a squad has been picked, it has not been named less than nine days before the side is due to land in Harare.

"It is very unfortunate that the board will go to everybody else and then come to us last," Ramnarine said. "We are the most critical people ... the players, their safety. It really shows not just disrespect to the agreement, but a certain level of disrespect to the players and their own welfare. That is something that WIPA feels strongly about. We have a role and a responsibility to protect our members and we will continue to do so."

In Zimbabwe, Lovemore Banda, the board's media manager, said that he was still optimistic. "We are just waiting to hear from them," he said, "but we are hopeful the team will be traveling."

The Zimbabwe squad has been training for a few days in Harare. Brendan Taylor is a notable absentee - he is reported to be in London - while Elton Chigumbura is in South Africa on personal business and expected to arrive soon. A local source reported that a number of the players were waiting on the decision by West Indies before deciding what to do in the longer term.