Asian market may not interest West Indies

The West Indies Cricket Board's (WICB) plan to garner funds this year from an unusual location to ease its US$25 million debt burden may not materialise. That's because the cricket grounds in the United States which were being considered to stage a three-match ODI series between West Indies and India, are not up to international standard and would have to pass ICC inspection.

The Board for Cricket Control in India (BCCI) proposed that the matches be switched to Malaysia or Singapore. The proposed dates were between August and September.

"While we're hopeful, I fear the United States won't be in a position to have two grounds ready by September," IS Bindra, a member of the BCCI's marketing committee, told The Telegraph. "We've been looking at Florida, New York, and New Jersey. We've given that [Singapore / Kuala Lampur] option to the West Indies. In fact, we've even suggested the matches could be played in Europe."

Ken Gordon, WICB president, Niranjan Shah, the BCCI secretary, and other senior officials from both sides met in New York earlier this month. On that occasion Gordon said that there was uncertainty over the quality of the facilities in the United States. Back then, he promised that a decision on the series would have been reached by June 16. Efforts to reach him since then were unsuccessful and other members of the WICB said they were unaware of any developments.

The move to Asia is not likely to interest the WICB as the regional planners were hoping to capitalise on the lucrative American market which has large West Indian and Indian expatriate communities. If this year is not feasible, the two boards will hope to develop the facilities and the new window of opportunity would be next year, after the World Cup.

"We've suggested alternatives for September. If the WICB remains intent on North America, then the three ODIs are going to be played next year," Bindra added. "The status should be clear within a fortnight."