Windwards cricket board to support Dave Cameron for WICB President

Dave Cameron (L) at an ICC board meeting

Castries (St. Lucia), Feb 6 (IANS) The Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control (WICBC) has said it plans to support the re-election of Dave Cameron as president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) when the Annual General Meeting is held on March 7.

Julian Charles, a director of the Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control and chairman of the WICB Cricket Committee, said on Thursday Cameron has made progress in seeking to professionalise cricket in the region, reports CMC.

"As far as I'm concerned, as far as I know, the Windward Islands - as we stand now - will be supporting Dave Cameron," said Charles, during a radio interview here.

"Not only that, we are satisfied with the moves that Cameron has made, in terms of, especially in assisting with the professionalisation of the game. I think this is a major, major development in West Indies cricket."

Former West Indies fast bowler, Joel Garner plans to challenge Cameron for the post and has already received the backing of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA).

The JCA voted 10-6 in favour of supporting Garner and his running mate Baldath Mahabir, director of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB), for the two top posts. But according to Charles, the WICBC is also expected to support Nathan as vice-president.

"He is very experienced, has been on the West Indies board for some time. He is the President of Windward Islands Cricket as well," said Charles, the former Windward Islands batsman.

Cameron's administration has been under fire for its handling of the circumstances that led to the West Indies aborted tour of India late last year. There have been calls for Cameron to step down including from the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonzalves.

"There is probably just one major issue - not probably, there is just one major issue in his presidency, with the players pulling out of the India tour, and that cannot be attributed to him," said Charles, who has described the West Indies players as "way out of line" for pulling out of the Indian tour.