BCCI confirms cancellation of India-West Indies series; releases timeline of WICB's withdrawal

Dwayne Bravo (West Indian ODI captain)

Confirming that the India-West Indies series has been called off, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released a statement on its official site carrying the timeline of events before the Caribbean players eventually decided to pull out citing payment dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) as the reason.

The WICB, on the other hand, distanced itself from the issue saying that they were not responsible for cancelling the series, trying to shift the blame on to the players.

The timeline of the WICB's withdrawal:

7 October 2014:

Mr. Dave Cameron sent a copy of a letter addressed to Mr. Wavell Hinds, which stated that the failure of the West Indies players to take the field will leave the WICB with -

'no alternative but to cancel the match and notify the BCCI accordingly and recall the team.'

8 October 2014:

Around 3:00 am India time, Mr. Dave Cameron sent a mail to the BCCI stating he is withdrawing the team from the tour. Mr. Sanjay Patel rushed to Kochi and spoke to the WI players and managed to get on with the match.

12 October 2014:

Mr. Patel met Mr. Cameron in Dubai and asked him for a confirmation that the rest of the tour will go on. Mr. Cameron assured that by close of business on Wednesday 15 October, he will confirm one way or the other. .

AM of 16 October 2014:

There was no response from Mr. Cameron.

PM of 16 October 2014:

Mr. Patel sent a reminder mail to Mr. Cameron, seeking an urgent response.

17 October 2014 - 3:00 am:

Mr. Cameron sent a response stating that -

"WICB are not able to provide any assurances or guarantees"

and that WICB will communicate their position by end of the day on 17 October.

17 October 2014 - 10:00 am

Mr. Richard Pybus of the WICB sent a mail to the BCCI stating -

'WICB's position is that if the players refuse to play then the players must return home and the rest of the ODI and Test tour is called off. This has been discussed with the WICB President and CEO and they are fully aware of developments here.'

17 October - 2:00 pm

Mr. Richie Richardson sent a mail to the BCCI stating the following:

'Despite agreeing to play the 4th ODI in Dharamshala, regrettably, the current West Indies players have decided that they will not participate any further in this tour and wish to return home after this match. In light of this, I suggest that the entire squad travel to Delhi tomorrow and be booked into a hotel there, until international return flights have been booked. On behalf of the entire squad and WICB, I apologise for the inconvenience caused.'

This makes it clear that all along, the WICB was withdrawing its team if a resolution was not reached in the issue with their players.