Viv Richards demands answers

Sir Vivian Richards, the legendary West Indian batsman, has expressed concern over the resignation of Rawle Brancker, the Cricket World Cup 2007 chairman, and the findings of the Lucky Commission Report.

Richards said that Brancker's resignation, should be a wake-up call for those planning the World Cup event. "I think it was a brave decision because it is men who make those decisions not boys," Richards said recently. "I think Mr Brancker needs the support of the rest of the individuals who are lying like dead ants to come and start coughing up and say exactly what's happening. We have a right to know. Our cricket is in too much turmoil."

Richards, who scored 8540 runs in 121 Tests, said it appeared as if administrators in the Caribbean were not focused enough on developing the regional game. "To me there is lot more action off the field than what's on it and that's a worrying thing. We have got something to represent in 2007. It's like people are licking their chops, rubbing their hands waiting for that time to come."

"(But) what about West Indies cricket? We all talk about the finances and it is at its lowest point and yet still we haven't heard anyone talk about the development side of things." He added: "You haven't heard anyone speak about what's the process for preparing for 2007. It is a lot of stuff that goes on behind closed doors. We the public need to be a little bit more aware of what's happening if we really love this thing."

"We have got to begin asking important questions because we need answers so that we won't be embarrassed when 2007 comes."

Further, Richards said that the public needed to also know the contents of the Sponsorship Negotiations Review Committee's report, that criticised the Digicel sponsorship deal. "We haven't heard anything about the report, about whether there was any discrepancy that took place. It is like it is gone to sleep," Richards noted. "From what I've heard, some of the report is not good. The public needs to know."