BCCI replies to CARICOM Secretary General on WICB

The Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) in India has agreed to extend, by 40 days, its deadline for the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to comply to its requests.{{more}}

Sanjay Patel, Honorary Secretary of the BCCI, in a letter to CARICOM Secretary General Irwin Laroque, dated November 17, said the decision to extend the deadline was taken, based on assurances made by Laroque in a letter to the BCCI dated November 11.

In its letter, CARICOM had proposed a “grand settlement” as an alternative resolution to BCCI’s US$41.97 million claim against the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

Patel said he noted the points of approach towards arriving at the “grand settlement,” and wished that the measures suggested will be fruitful. He, however, reiterated the loss incurred by the BCCI because of the withdrawal from the tour of the West Indies cricket team.

“As much as we empathise with the financial constraints of the WICB, an equal and just view should be taken with regard to the insurmountable loss to the BCCI and the need to compensate the same and help us overcome this financial crisis.

“However in view of your request and without prejudice to our rights we will be happy to extend the deadline by 40 days for compliance by WICB of the legal requisitions contained in our letter dated 31st October 2014 based on your assurances and in anticipation of an early resolution without compromising our rights in this matter and would request you to take steps in the right earnest.”

In the November 11 letter, Laroque had stated that the WICB is on the verge of insolvency and had proposed that the BCCI permits an additional delay of 40 days in pursuance of its claim, and during this time, a High-level Working Group, set up by the chair of the Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on Cricket (PMSC), will meet with all the relevant entities and personalities, especially the BCCI, the WICB and the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA), to “hammer out details of a ‘grand settlement’.”