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Brian
Lara’s “primary consideration” is “to
ensure the survival of West Indies cricket.”
He said so in a letter on Saturday night, responding to an
invitation the day before from the board’s CEO Roger
Brathwaite to join the squad for the First Test match against
South Africa in Guyana.
Lara’s letter was faxed to news rooms yesterday.
Lara said he was “ready, willing and able to continue
participating in West Indies cricket, providing....that the
best team will be selected, with an assurance from all the
parties that the outstanding issues would be brought to the
table and discussed.”
The board ignored the suggestion, leaving Lara out of the
14-man team and naming Guyanese left-handed batsman Shivnarine
Chanderpaul as captain for the Test series which begins on
March 31.
The letter from Lara is the latest twist in a four-month imbroglio
that has plagued West Indies cricket.
The conflict has involved players’ contracts (WICB and
WIPA), sponsorship contracts (current team sponsor Digicel
and Cable & Wireless, sponsors of Lara and six others
left out of consideration) and players’ fees.
Following is the full text of Lara’s letter.
To:
Roger Braithwaite,
Chief Executive Officer,
West Indies Cricket Board Inc.
Dear Mr Braithwaite,
I refer to your letter of invitation dated March 19, 2005,
and would like to express my gratitude for your kind invitation
which permits me the opportunity, again, to join the West
Indies team.
As you are aware, I have devoted my whole life to all aspects
of West Indies cricket. It is in these circumstances that
I am bound to say that I have found extreme difficulty in
formulating an appropriate response to your invitation.
On the one hand, if I were to accept the invitation, then
I would feel that I have abandoned part of the core of players
who have represented the West Indies with me over recent years
and all of whom are teammates.
On the other hand, if I were to decline, then I feel I would
be repudiating my deep feelings for the West Indian supporters
and the furtherance of the game.
What I would like to see is the best team selected to compete
in the forthcoming series.
I would also like to see an amicable resolution to the outstanding
issues in an atmosphere of mutual compromise and respect,
which would all redound to uplifting the morale and pride
of the West Indian people who are so passionate about the
sport.
I do not wish to be put in a position where I consider that
my response to your invitation would be indicative of a selection
of one option and the rejection of another.
In circumstances where neither my loyalty to the players nor
my loyalty to West Indies cricket can be denied, I confirm
that I am ready, willing and able to continue participating
in West Indies cricket, provided that, even at this late stage,
the best team will be selected with an assurance from all
of the parties that the outstanding issues would be brought
to the table and discussed.
I wish to state unequivocally that it is my intention to ensure
the survival of West Indies cricket. That is my primary consideration.
Sincerely,
Brian Charles Lara
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