Digicel speaks of 'disappointment' with handling of dispute

Digicel branding in evidence ... but it now wants a resolution to the row © Cricinfo

The growing frustration of Digicel, the sponsors of cricket in the Caribbean, with the row affecting West Indies cricket in general, and role of the board (WICB) and Player's Association in particular, became all too evident today when a spokesman made clear the company's "disappointment" that its suggestion that the board should involve the ICC was dismissed out of hand.

Back in November, Digicel asked the board to involve the ICC and FICA, the international players' association, in talks when the contract row first blew up. But at that time it was told by WICB officials that this was not possible as ICC never got involved in such local issues.

That response, however, was misleading as the ICC will offer its assistance, but only when invited to do so by a national cricket board.

As recently as last week, Roger Braithwaite, the chief executive of WICB, reaffirmed that position to Digicel, and yet according to a number of other parties, at the same time he was actively involved in talks with Malcolm Speed, the ICC's chief executive.

"The whole process has been frustrating as our whole investment is about having the best West Indies cricket team," said a spokesman. "We are not an administrator and all we have ever wanted is the best for West Indies cricket."

What is clear is that Digicel are growing tired of the board's seeming unwillingness to find a resolution to this row. As West Indies cricket continues to be dragged through the mud - and that will hardly get better in the coming weeks as a virtual second XI takes on Sri Lanka - the reputation of the company can only suffer by association.

"We have always said that the best way to resolve this is by the involvement of the ICC and FICA," explained the spokesman. That it is now prepared to speak publicly about the situation is indicative of just how little patience it appears to have left with the way that this dispute is being handled.

And with WIPA also declaring that it is in favour of such external involvement, the pressure has turned on the board to do whatever is necessary to speed up the process.