India tour pull-out: West Indies task force begins probe

The West Indian team

Bridgetown, Nov 21 (IANS/CMC) A task force set up to probe the circumstances that led to the controversial pull-out of the West Indies team from its tour of India has begun its work, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) announced.

The task force comprising chairman Michael Gordon and members Wes Hall and Richard Cheltenham held its first meeting here, a WICB release stated. Meetings are expected with all parties, including the West Indies Players' Association (WIPA) and the players, before findings are reported to the board, reports CMC.

"While it is regrettable that the situation into which we are enquiring occurred, the task force recognises the responsibility to West Indies cricket and is honoured to have been chosen for this assignment," said Gordon.

"We commit to pursuing the facts and circumstances in a fair and unbiased manner and to allow for all the critical matters to be highlighted and ventilated."

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) cancelled tours to the Caribbean and demanded compensation of $42 million after striking West Indies players left their tour to India with five fixtures still to play, including three Tests.

The pull out was linked to a pay dispute with WIPA over a change in their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the WICB. The WICB has said that talks with the BCCI are progressing well and that it remains confident a resolution with India can be reached.

According to the WICB release, the task force has been asked to investigate the cause of the players' actions, recommend measures to improve the relationship between WICB and the players and design a fast-track dispute resolution mechanism.