The Guyana Cricket Board has followed up on its threat to take legal action against Cricket West Indies over the election of Azim Bassarath as its vice-president.
Bassarath who is president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board, was elected to the post at the annual general meeting of Cricket West Indies in March of 2023.
The GCB had nominated Bassarath but subsequently withdrew its nomination in writing before the elections were held, but after the nomination period had closed.
At the elections, the GCB’s representatives restated the Board’s withdrawal of the nomination and according to a release, objected to CWI’s decision to proceed with the election of Bassarath even though the nomination was withdrawn.
The GCB said the decision to withdraw its nomination of Bassarath was taken after the Guyana Board, received certain information, just prior to the CWI elections, that included serious allegations of misconduct at the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board.
Since the March elections, the GCB had repeatedly addressed the matter of Bassarath’s election with CWI.
The release said, “two letters were written to CWI president, Dr Kishore Shallow, requesting the legal basis upon which Bassarath was elected. There was no response to these letters.”
A meeting was convened by Dr. Shallow and other CWI representatives on July 05, 2023, but the matter remained unresolved.
Dr. Shallow stated that he had received legal opinion that the subject election was properly conducted and that he would submit that opinion, and the names of the lawyers who gave it, to the GCB and the other stakeholders.
This was never done, claimed the GCB.
The GBC release further stated: “The GCB, as a shareholder/full member of CWI, has a moral and legal duty to institute, promote and support the high standards and ideals of West Indies cricket and to ensure that there is full and unwavering compliance with the Articles of Association of CWI and that all elections held by CWI are conducted in accordance with the law especially now that with the emergence of the stated allegations.”
CWI honours longstanding directors Lewis, Riley
Cricket West Indies (CWI) honoured two of its longstanding board directors for their exemplary service at a prestigious reception held in Barbados recently.
The ceremony celebrated the remarkable contributions of CWI Directors, Enoch Lewis, President of Leeward Island Cricket Board, and Conde Riley, President of Barbados Cricket Association.
Lewis has dedicated over 18 years to CWI, while Riley has committed more than 15 years to the organization. Both men have played pivotal roles in the development and success of West Indies cricket. The awards were presented by CWI president Dr. Kishore Shallow and vice president Azim Bassarath.
Shallow was full of praise for the awardees.
"Mr. Lewis and Mr. Riley have shown unwavering dedication and leadership within Cricket West Indies. Their contributions have been instrumental across regional cricket from junior to senior levels, and we are honored to recognize their service,” Shallow said.
“The task of service in public life is not an easy one; it requires immense commitment, sacrifices, integrity, and a passion for making a difference. Directors Lewis and Riley have embodied these qualities throughout their tenure,” he added.
The event was graced by the presence of distinguished guests, including the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister of Antigua & Barbuda, Gaston Browne, and Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Greg Barclay, Chairman of the International Cricket Council, was also in attendance.
CWI expresses gratitude to Haynes, Browne-John as Lead Selectors tenures end
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has expressed gratitude to Desmond Haynes and Ann Browne-John, as their respective tenures as Lead Selectors ended on Jun 30.
The regional governing body believes Haynes, who was appointed to the role in January 2022, and Browne-John, appointed in October 2019, have both made significant contributions to the organization during their tenures.
CWI Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, expressed appreciation for their services.
"We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Haynes and Mrs. Browne-John for their dedicated service as Lead Selectors. Their insights and commitment have been invaluable to our cricketing endeavors," Bascombe said.
While Haynes and Browne-John will no longer serve as Lead Selectors, Cricket West Indies is confident that their contributions in other areas to the sport will not waiver, and as such, will seek to utilize their expertise.
Ann Browne-John
CWI will continue the quest for excellence in the selection system with ongoing restructuring efforts, including the implementation of new and improved processes.
Bascombe elaborated on the new directions.
“We are committed to selection system that reflect the current needs of our cricketing landscape which will give us the best chance to identify and develop talent across all levels. The new system will have an increased focus on scouting, depth charting, alignment with cricket strategy, and human resource management. These decisions were taken following careful considerations by the Cricket Development and Performance Committee," he noted.
CWI further lauded Haynes and Browne-John for their service as Lead Selectors, which it said have been marked by their unwavering dedication to the sport and their deep understanding of cricketing dynamics. West Indies teams have shown improvements in the ICC rankings for both Men and Women under their leadership. CWI acknowledges the pivotal roles that both individuals have played in this achievement.
It is anticipated that the new system will take effect following ratification at the upcoming CWI Board of Directors meeting that will take place later this month.
Beryl puts lid on CWI U-19 Rising Stars tournaments after wreaking havoc in Eastern Caribbean
As hurricane Beryl continues to wreak havoc across the Caribbean, the West Indies Under-19 men’s and women’s Rising Stars tournaments have been placed on hold as host nations Trinidad and Tobago and St Vincent and the Grenadines suffered blows from the category four system.
Both tournaments are scheduled to start on Tuesday, but given the effects of Beryl, organisers were forced to shelf previous plans as they continue to assess the situation where travels and other logistical issues are concerned.
In fact, CWI vice president Azim Bassarath highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the tournament.
“Nothing as yet. We don’t know what is the situation with flights coming out of the different islands after Beryl. So, it (the tournament) is on hold until everything returns to normalcy,” he told T&T Newsday.
Jamaica won both Under-19 men's title last year.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Under-19 men’s team were set to depart their shores for St Vincent on Sunday. However, flights were cancelled throughout the Caribbean.
Up to late Monday, Trinidad and Tobago’s manager Kerwin John pointed out that they did not get any word from CWI on the tournament’s status.
“We are still at home. We have not travelled to St Vincent as yet, as the flight yesterday (Sunday) was cancelled from T&T to Barbados and Barbados to St Vincent. We are waiting on the cricket board to say when is that rescheduled flight,” John stated.
St Vincent and the Grenadines’ National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) reported significant damage to properties on Monday, with Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves revealing that the islands are still under a tropical storm warning.
“We have begun to receive heartbreaking reports out of the Union Island and the southern Grenadines, even as our agencies desperately attempt to re-establish communications with certain sections and ascertain the extent of the damage to the mainland,” the Prime Minister shared in a social media post.
T&T Under-19 women's team.
Meanwhile, Nadra Dwarika-Baptiste, manager of Trinidad and Tobago’s Under-19 women’s team said they were expected to get an update soon.
Barbados and Windward Island women’s teams are already in the twin island republic as they recently engaged the host in a tri-series in preparation for the CWI tournament.
“I know the teams are represented but I can’t say if everyone is here. We haven’t been in a setting to see if everyone is present. We have not gotten anything yet, but we do expect some meetings by this afternoon,” she said in an interview T&T Newsday.
Jamaica, Leeward Islands, and Guyana are the other teams for the women’s tournament that was initially scheduled for July 2-July 13.
The men’s competition also has six teams down to vie for the three-day, and 50-over titles.
Jamaica’s men’s under-19 team won both titles last year.
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