WI contract row: Players to boycott Bangla series

St John's:

West Indian players have decided to boycott the Test and ODI home series against Bangladesh starting on Thursday after their long-pending and bitter contractual row with the Cricket Board remained unresolved.

West Indies Players' Association (WIPA) president Dinanath Ramnarine said the cricketers would not play unless the Board gives them contracts.

"The players have played their last four tournaments without a contract. They are now being asked to play their fifth consecutive series without a contract which is highly unacceptable," Ramnarine said in a statement.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) reacted angrily to the development and said it was a breach of agreement.

"The action taken by the players in refusing to honour their obligations constitutes a clear breach of the collective bargaining agreement between WICB and WIPA," the WICB said in a statement.