West Indies Cricket Board to review Future Tours

Following the recent terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, DC the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), will be meeting to review all future tours by the West Indies. The meeting which is scheduled for 28 and 29 September in Antigua, will have as its main focus the safety of players while on tour.

WICB's CEO, Gregory Shillingford said "there has been great consultation with the Sri Lankan and Pakistani authorities" but stressed that "it was too early to make any definitive statements". The West Indies are scheduled to tour Sri Lanka in November and December, while a tour of Pakistan is planned for February, 2002.

With the United States poised to retaliate for the attacks with military action against states neighbouring both Sri Lanka and Pakistan, the wisdom of making the two visits as it relates to the safety of the players has been a concern.

Shillingford also confirmed that the WICB directors will review all tours, following which they will issue a statement on its decision.

The West Indies are due to play three Tests, and a triangular limited overs series involving Zimbabwe and host Sri Lanka. The West Indies' seven-week tour of Sri Lanka is scheduled to begin on 1 November. Meanwhile, the Pakistani itinerary is yet to be finalised; however, the West Indies were expected to play two Tests and a quadrangular limited overs series involving Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and host Pakistan.