West Indies Cricket Fans

CMC Sports understands that the 26-year-old Bravo has joined fellow Trinidadian, Kieron Pollard, in not signing the contracts by the September 10 deadline as stipulated by the WICB, the region's governing body for the game.

Captain Chris Gayle also failed to sign the contract by the deadline, but wrote the WICB asking for an extension which was granted.

However, the other 22 players offered contracts have all signed, paving the way for the cream of West Indies players to be available for international duty.

link
hmm...Why they didn't sign?

Because both Bravo and Pollard are more interested in earning money from 20/20 cricket than representing the West Indies....

They've both made statements in the past that have indicated that, i.e. Bravo liking Mumbai more than the West Indies, Pollard turning down an invitation to play for the WI A team.

It now remains to be seen if Gayle will follow them, or if he will commit himself to WIndies cricket.

This is NOT about commitment....it's the bizniz of cricket. Why would Bravo and Polly sign a contract for less than a 100K and give up an opportunity to make millions? What would you do?

This could be a case where Bravo, Pollard and probably Gayle too fit for a WICB contract.

pollard and bravo have to look out for pollard and bravo. why sign a 100k contract with the wicb when they can make millions elsewhere ?

The Black Prince wrote:pollard and bravo have to look out for pollard and bravo. why sign a 100k contract with the wicb when they can make millions elsewhere ?

that's exactly what I'm saying.. I have a strong feeling that Gayle will do the same ...watch the ride. Why else would he asked for an extension? Gayle probably still is exploring his options The captaincy is not guaranteed to boot. So he will be losing more money...

Plus Hiliare said anyone could be selected for WI even if they don't have a contract. Why tie down yourself for pennies when you have options?

What is the purpose of the contract then?

Do any of you guys know or have information about players from other countries declining central contract offers from their respective boards.

I have a feeling that Bravo and Pollard are the only ones to have done so at this point in time. I cannot see Michael Clarke or Kevin Pietersen declining central contract offers from CA or ECB in favour foreign T20 money.

Snoop wrote:Do any of you guys know or have information about players from other countries declining central contract offers from their respective boards.

I have a feeling that Bravo and Pollard are the only ones to have done so at this point in time. I cannot see Michael Clarke or Kevin Pietersen declining central contract offers from CA or ECB in favour foreign T20 money.

Snoop…. Welcome aboard…
I can’t think of any players that have declined a central contract at the moment. However, I’m sure Michael Clarke and Kevin Pietersen contract would be substantially more than what is being offered.

A number of players retired from international cricket though to pursue T20 cricket and probably to avoid these types of issues.

What about the Packer players? Those players did abandon their home board and international cricket duties for mo money.

What about the “honorable white” cricketer’s that went to SA?

The Black Prince wrote:pollard and bravo have to look out for pollard and bravo. why sign a 100k contract with the wicb when they can make millions elsewhere ?

BlackPrince:

If you called the shots at the WICB and Bravo and Pollard refused to sign their contracts would you want them playing for your team(the West Indies) ?

In my opinion, Pollard and Bravo are free to choose what is best for them, but the WICB is also free to choose what is best for the WICB.

If I were in charge of the WICB Pollard and Bravo would not play for the West Indies again.

But the current WICB rewards disloyalty, disrespect and indiscipline and so Bravo and Pollard will be welcomed with open arms whenever they are available.

Pandit Rajaram

Thx for the welcome Pandit Ji!

I have no problem with Polly and Bravo declining the Windies central contract. As you put it they are simply deciding what's best for them - as we all do in our daily lives.

I'm more interested in the precedent it will set for players from other countries and how their respective boards deal with the issue. I do understand the retainer amounts in the ECB, CA, BCCI contracts are substantially more than WICB's, but it will nonetheless be very interesting to see if Aussies, English or New Zealand players start making the similar decision in the near future and how their public receives them.

Here's a hypothetical scenario fellas.

You're a young player in the West Indies region. You have some natural talent and are now at the point where you can either develop your game as a pedigree Test batsman or as a big hitter for ODI and T20 cricket.

What road will you go down? Test cricket or T20?