Hall urges players to sign

Wes Hall, the former West Indies fast bowler and West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president, has urged the current national players to find a quick solution to the looming contracts impasse.

Speaking at the launch of a project entitled 'Cricket Legends of Barbados', Hall said in finding a solution, the players needed to consider what cricket meant to the region. "I note with disgust the impasse that we have right now on the eve of the World Cup. I wish to tell all players not to lose the public's support," he said. "After all, cricket is of the people, for the people and by the people in the West Indies and it belongs to the people," the ex-West Indies fast bowler told a gathering of past cricketing greats including Sir Vivian Richards, Sir Garry Sobers, Richie Richardson and Courtney Walsh.

"Do not lose the people's support. I also want to tell them that cricket here is a metaphor that mirrors social, political and cultural change. When we win, you know how it is-adulation all over the world. When we lose, we are in trouble."

Another impasse between the WICB and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) appears on the horizon after the two bodies were unable to reach an agreement on the terms of players' retainer contracts. With the Zimbabwe tour one week away, the WICB's cricket committee had recommended yesterday as a cut-off date for the contracts issue to be settled. Thereafter, it suggested, players should be selected on the basis of who make themselves available. More than 40 WIPA members are currently meeting in Trinidad where the issue of retainer contracts is expected to be discussed.

Hall, who played 48 Tests between 1958 and 1969, said the WICB was in a financial crisis and this was a factor that had to be considered in the negotiating process. "I am telling our cricketers that in human relations, the ability to pay is important and everyone knows that the West Indies Cricket Board is not endowed with a lot of money," he stressed. "I am sincerely praying that this weekend as the boys meet that they will do the right thing and make sure that we see cricket at the highest level."

Hall hinted that the players' calls for enhanced financial terms should also be reflected in their performances on the field. He said the players needed to be told "let's get on with it, that enough is enough and that for 50 years we have fought for a situation where we are paid commensurate with our ability but, the thing is, that ability must now be translated into performance".