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Sport : Warner slams WICB at WIPA awards.

2009/3/13 15:10:00

FIFA vice-president and Special Adviser to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association Austin “Jack” Warner launched a stinging attack against the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) during an address at the West Indies Players Association Awards (WIPA) ceremony on Thursday night.

In the feature address Warner lashed out at the WICB for what he said was their failure to manage cricket in the region in a professional manner.

He said he was disappointed that the board did not assume responsibility for the sham which transpired in the second test between the West Indies and England at the Sir Vivian Recreation Ground in Antigua, where the game was called off because of an unfit surface.

“The board members should hang their heads in shame after only ten balls were bowled in the second test. It was the shortest test in the history of cricket,” he said.

“Imagine the headquarters of the board is based in Antigua, less that ten minutes from the venue and no one from the board saw it fit to monitor the progress of work being conducted before the start of the game...Something has to be terribly wrong,” Warner said.

The Chaguanas West MP waded into the manner in which tours for the regional side are arranged, hinting that sometimes players do not know where they are to be accommodated and at times where the games are to be played.

He suggested that WICB take a page from the organizational structure of FIFA, an organization which has its house in order.

The CONCACAF boss is asking the cricket board to be proactive in their attitude towards the development of cricket in the region and even went so far as to offer his services free of charge should it be required.

On another note he advised WIPA President and former Trinidad and Tobago and West Indies spinner Dinanath Ramnarine to take a more influential role in the development of cricket in the region.

Word on the ground, according to Warner: “WIPA is viewed as a trade union movement and this is wrong, the association can make a difference in the cricketing landscape if all stakeholders are grouped together.”

In conclusion, Warner reiterated that if West Indies are to get to the pinnacle of world cricket, a more professional approach is needed.

TTEC draws first blood in south zone

TTEC Sports Club has made a successful step up to the big league in the South Zonal Council Division 1 by winning their opening round match against Juniors.

Taking first strike, Juniors was shut out for 169 with Clive Jackson getting 50 and Cliff Sampson 21. Getting among the wickets for TTEC was Kwesi Blackburn who picked up 5 for 20.

In reply TTEC made 180 all out in their first innings. In their second turn at the crease Juniors could only manage 126.

Chasing 115 for victory, TTEC scraped home at 116 for 7 with Keagan Jagessar hitting an unbeaten 49.

In the other match, Young Lions got the better of T-Birds by 20 runs in Piparo and HYO lost to Clarke Rochard by three runs.

Sports news from the desk of U97.5 fm By Ken Jaggernauth.