Following their historic triumph in the 2016 ICC World Twenty20, the West Indies cricket board has reportedly offered its players to share the entire $1.6 million among themselves. The move is being looked at as a last ditch effort to amend the board’s stormy relationship with the West Indies cricket team.
Prior to the start of the tournament, skipper Darren Sammy had commented in the media about how he felt disrespected by the board. However, according to Michael Muirhead, chief executive of the WICB, things are heading in the right direction for both sides.
Opening up on the issue, Muirhead said, “Well I'd like to think it was water under the bridge before the tournament started. Yes we had our differences and we had a lot of dialogue and it was made public, but I must say in the end we were able to resolve our differences.”
But what Sammy said after their victory last night was in complete contrast of what the board is claiming. The West Indies skipper thanked everyone but the WICB for their contributions and appreciation.
He was quoted saying, “I want to thank the heads of CARICOM. Throughout this tournament they have been supporting the team. We've gotten emails, we've gotten calls... (Grenada) Prime Minister (Dr. Keith) Mitchell, I know what he's trying to do and I really want to thank him. He sent a very inspiring email to the team this morning and I'm yet to hear from our own cricket board. That is very disappointing."
The board, however, did congratulate both the West Indies men’s and women’s team for their fantastic achievement later on. WICB chief executive Michael Muirhead claimed that the board too deserved some of the credit for the victory.
Harping on the board’s contribution, Muirhead said, “All I can say is, it wasn't by chance that this happened. We put in a lot of preparations and spent a lot of time in getting both teams ready for this tournament. I leave it up to you (media) now to disclose that to the CARICOM officials, who believe that we may not be doing the job that we ought to do.”
“We have a lot more to do and we will just have to intensify those efforts to make sure that those plans are institutionalised and rolled out across the region so we have the production of good players through the systems we are putting in place,” he added about their plans for the future of West Indies cricket.
The difference of opinion between the West Indies cricketers and their board may not be in the best interests of the country’s cricket.
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