West Indies players employ legal team

Photo: West Indies players celebrate (WICB)

The West Indies players, who were a part of the team that abandoned the tour of India last week, have retained legal counsel as they seek to tackle the contentious Collective Bargaining Agreement signed by their union, West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA).

They have sought the services of lawyer Luke Hamel-Smith to fight on their behalf.

This was made public by their captain/ spokesman Dwayne Bravo who is leading the charge in the current dispute.

The players, who hope to have their bonus fees reinstated to them and their MOU signed by their association president overturned is also ensuring that their livelihood is secure and that they don’t suffer any undue punishment that could be meted out by the West Indies Cricket Board for their actions in India.

“We look forward to a speedy resolution and that our concerns,and that of all players including the first class players, are addressed in a satisfactory and timely manner.” said Bravo.

Bravo and the West Indies team pulled out of the one-day tour of India last week following the fourth ODI in Dharamsala, after failing to resolve a pay and contracts dispute with WIPA.

They refused to play the fifth match in Kolkata, the Twenty20 in Cuttack and also the three-Test series.