Windies Caught Short

Newcastle Herald

Monday March 17, 2008

SMH

CASH over country, the greatly feared scenario many thought would be created by the Indian Premier League, has already materialised with Australia's tour to the West Indies in danger of becoming a farce.

Three of the Caribbean's best cricketers could miss the first two Tests of the series because of IPL duties, leaving a substandard team to face the world No.1.

Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan will not be stopped by the West Indies cricket board from playing in the IPL finals should their sides qualify, even though they overlap with the three-Test series against Australia in May and June.

West Indies cricket chief Donald Peters said the stars were entitled to earn their hefty paydays from the IPL because of the relatively paltry sums on offer to play for the embattled Test nation, and conceded that even if he tried to block the trio they would go anyway.

Cricket Australia has told its players that international matches take precedence over the IPL, but the West Indies board appears incapable of making the same rule because they lack depth and talent.

SMH

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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