Marlon Samuels Hits Back at Dwayne Bravo as West Indies Crisis Deepens
Marlon Samuels alleges that he wanted Dwayne Bravo to inform the public about the details of the pay dispute with their cricket board but it was turned down. The all-rounder also says he never agreed to stand by any decision taken by the team during the India tour.
- NDTVSports
- Updated: October 28, 2014 11:13 AM IST
West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels contested Dwayne Bravo's claim that he had agreed to abide by any decision taken by his team - including leaving the India tour before schedule. In an interview to ESPNCricinfo, the 33-year-old Jamaican further said that the entire salary row was mis-handled by all parties involved - West Indies Players Association (WIPA), the cricket board (WICB) and the players themselves.
Taking on skipper Bravo's claim that Samuels was part of a 'unanimous' team decision, Samuels revealed that he had never given his word. ('West Indies will participate in World Cup')
"No, I did not say that I am going to stand by any decision," he said. "Because nobody asked me questions like that. It is up to the individual to say okay I am with you. You had people in the room that didn't even open their mouth or say anything."
This comes in sharp contrast to Bravo's statements that claimed Samuels was an active participant in team meetings during the India tour. (Related: Australia concerned after WI pull out of India tour)
The entire controversy erupted when the players felt that WIPA chief Wavell Hinds had "hoodwinked" them by agreeing to the new contracts without taking them into confidence.
While the players eventually decided to cut short their India tour leaving WICB red-faced, Samuels reportedly wanted the tour to be finished as per schedule. The 33-year-old all-rounder has also said that he wanted that fans should have more clarity - a view that Bravo disagreed with.
"One of the questions I asked was the public don't really know what is happening," Samuels said. "The public are being misled. They need to know the truth behind this (pullout). They need to go out there and explain what is really happening. He (Bravo) wasn't willing to go and do that. That is why I say that if you are not up to doing what I want to go there and do, which is the right thing, then you are not going to get my full support."
West Indies players had made the Dharamsala ODI their last and Bravo has said in a media release last week that the decision to fly back home was supported by all his players. Samuels' allegations therefore clearly point to a rift within the team that may fracture the 'united' face put up against WICB and WIPA.