West Indies Pullout of India Tour: A Timeline
The Board of Control for Cricket in India put an end to all speculation about the West Indian tour, saying it was over after their players and board failed to resolve a pay dispute. Late on Friday night, the Indian board issued a timeline depicting the incidents that led to the pullout by the West Indian cricketers.
After West Indies pulled out of their tour of India, there were strong reactions from the BCCI. The Indian cricket board said it was shocked and disappointed at the way West Indies ended the tour abruptly. BCCI also said it would reconsider IPL contracts for West Indian cricketers.
Soon enough, there was a statement from the West Indies Cricket Board which created further confusion. It said the West Indies had not pulled out of the tour after all and that a decision would be taken after the fourth ODI, which India won by 59 runs in Dharamsala.
Putting an end to all speculation, BCCI issued a statement late in the night, confirming the end of the tour. The Indian board gave a complete timeline of incidents that led to dramatic pullout by the West Indian players.
Here it is:
The BCCI would like to clarify that despite all its efforts, the Micromax Cup India vs West Indies ODI series has been curtailed because of the ongoing issue between WICB and its players, and the withdrawal of the WI team from the ongoing tour of India.
The timeline of the WICB's withdrawal is mentioned below:
7 October 2014:
Mr. Dave Cameron sent a copy of a letter addressed to Mr. Wavell Hinds, which stated that the failure of the West Indies players to take the field will leave the WICB with -
'no alternative but to cancel the match and notify the BCCI accordingly and recall the team.'
ÂÂ
8 October 2014:
Around 3:00 am India time, Mr. Dave Cameron sent a mail to the BCCI stating he is withdrawing the team from the tour. Mr. Sanjay Patel rushed to Kochi and spoke to the WI players and managed to get on with the match.
12 October 2014:
Mr. Patel met Mr. Cameron in Dubai and asked him for a confirmation that the rest of the tour will go on. Mr. Cameron assured that by close of business on Wednesday 15 October, he will confirm one way or the other. .
AM of 16 October 2014:
There was no response from Mr. Cameron.
PM of 16 October 2014:
Mr. Patel sent a reminder mail to Mr. Cameron, seeking an urgent response.
17 October 2014 - 3:00 am:
Mr. Cameron sent a response stating that -
ÂÂ
'WICB are not able to provide any assurances or guarantees'
ÂÂ
and that WICB will communicate their position by end of the day on 17 October.
17 October 2014 - 10:00 am
Mr. Richard Pybus of the WICB sent a mail to the BCCI stating - ÂÂ
'WICB's position is that if the players refuse to play then the players must return home and the rest of the ODI and Test tour is called off. This has been discussed with the WICB President and CEO and they are fully aware of developments here.'
17 October - 2:00 pm
Mr. Richie Richardson sent a mail to the BCCI stating the following:
'Despite agreeing to play the 4th ODI in Dharamshala, regrettably, the current West Indies players have decided that they will not participate any further in this tour and wish to return home after this match. In light of this, I suggest that the entire squad travel to Delhi tomorrow and be booked into a hotel there, until international return flights have been booked. On behalf of the entire squad and WICB, I apologise for the inconvenience caused.'
This makes it clear that all along, the WICB was withdrawing its team if a resolution was not reached in the issue with their players.
Sanjay Patel
Hony. Secretary
BCCI