10 November 2004	Wednesday	26 Ramazan 1425

ST. JOHN'S, Nov 9: A strongly worded attack on West Indies Cricket Board by West Indies Players Association (WIPA) president Dinanath Ramnarine over the timing of appointment of new head coach has again highlighted the division between two major organisations in West Indies cricket.

In a letter to WICB president Teddy Griffith, released to Trinidad & Tobago media, Ramnarine charged that WICB's handling of issue was "another example of ineptness about which his organisation had complained on several occasions."

WIPA's censure came at a time when the two bodies are concluding prolonged negotiations over retainer contracts for leading players.

"WIPA wish to state that we are extremely disappointed that WICB did not make these appointments in time for new coach and his assistants to witness recently- concluded West Indies limited overs cricket championship," Ramnarine wrote.

He noted it would have been "a golden opportunity to see all West Indies players prior to one-day VB Series in Australia early in new year.

"What was even more disappointing, was that WICB was fully aware prior to commencement of ICC Champions Trophy in England that incumbent coach, Gus Logie, was not going to continue in his role as coach of West Indies team."

Ramnarine said he recognised that selection process needed to be thorough in order to come up with suitable candidates for required positions. But he felt there was enough time to finalise nominations.

He described it as "another example of ineptness about which his organisation has complained to WICB on several occasions.

"While we understand that a selection process has to take place in order to appoint ideal candidate, we think the board had sufficient time to get coach and his assistant in place and have them witness players on stage in Guyana and Barbados."

In his letter, he also extended greetings to new coach, Bennett King, assistant coach David Moore and Sir Garfield Sobers.

West Indies next international outing will be against Australia in January, in a triangular limited overs series that also involves Pakistan.

Ramnarine, former Trinidad & Tobago and West Indies leg-spinner, retired from the game last year to become president & chief executive of WIPA. Under his leadership, WIPA has taken tough stance with WICB on several issues.

It called a one-day players strike during Carib Series semifinals last year and threatened others before negotiations over contracts for 2002 Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka in 2002 and World Cup in South Africa in 2003 were resolved.-PPI