Windies board in talks with the ICC

Malcolm Speed: talks are said to be ongoing © Getty Images

After reports that the West Indies board (WICB) had rebuffed a move from the ICC to help find a solution to the ongoing contract row, an ICC spokesman has confirmed that an approach had been made, but insisted that it had been not been cold shouldered and said that talks were ongoing.

Earlier in the day, Cricinfo had been told by a source close to the situation that the WICB had turned down an offer to help. The ICC cannot involve itself in any internal governance issues without being asked to do so by that country's board.

The source said that the West Indies Players' Association had raised the possibility of an ICC intervention with Richard Bevan and Tim May of FICA, the international players union, and Bevan then spoke to Malcolm Speed, the ICC's chief executive to solicit his help.

Speed then had conversations with Roger Brathwaite, the WICB's chief executive, to sound him out about possible involvement. Speed stopped short of proposing a mediator or arbitrator, but did suggest sending in people experienced in contract negotiations to look at the issues form a different angle and try to find a way round the stand-off.

Although the ICC is adamant that the discussions continue, that was not the impression that either FICA or WIPA appeared to have.

Dinanath Ramnarine, the WIPA president, confirmed that he had asked FICA for assistance. "It was reported back to us that the WICB turned down approaches for intervention. No reason was given for declining the offer and we are extremely disappointed. We have said we will back any independent person appointed to look at this, as we want to bring an end to this matter."

Confusingly, late on Saturday the WICB issued a relaese claiming it had not been approached by the ICC with respect to providing mediation . Brathwaite said that contrary to reports on the Cricinfo , the WICB could not have refused any offer from the ICC with respect to mediation in this matter since none had been made. This contradicts a number of claims to the contrary made by bother parties to the dispute.