Bridgetown (Barbados), July 22 (IANS) The stand-off between the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the players’ association, over pending contracts, is all set to end after both the parties agreed to immediate mediation and with the revolting players making themselves available for selection.
The agreement was reached at a meeting in Georgetown with CARICOM (Caribbean Community) chairman and Guyana president Bharrat Jagdeo.

Both parties have agreed to have former Commonwealth Secretary General Shridath Ramphal as the mediator, the Cana News reported.

West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) has been fighting the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) over pay but returned after the appointment of Ramphal at the meeting convened by Jagdeo, at the request of the WIPA.

“It was agreed that, in light of the mediation agreement the parties expect to lead to the resolution of outstanding issues, all the players will make themselves available for selection,” they said in a joint statement.

WIPA and WICB have also agreed to each nominate a facilitator to assist Ramphal in his work.

“The mediation team, with assistance from the Caricom secretariat, would begin work immediately,” they said in the statement.

“Both parties have taken this step, mindful of the interest of their respective organisations but conscious also of their wider responsibility to the people of the West Indies and the international sport of cricket,” the organisations added.

The memorandum of understanding was signed by WIPA President Dinanath Ramnarine and WICB President Dr Julian Hunte in the presence of the Guyanese leader.

The latest dispute erupted two weeks ago, when 13 of the leading players made themselves unavailable for the first Test against Bangladesh in St Vincent, citing pay and contract issues.