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The West Indies cricket team’s captain Brian Lara has apologised to the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) over his reported statements against the Board.

“I hope my unfortunate actions will not in any way deter our march towards further success,” Lara said in a letter to the WICB President Ken Gordon. “Dear President, I refer to your letter of 10th July and subsequent meeting at your office. I recognise I broke the confidence placed in me as the captain by my over reaction during and after the fourth Test against India and I apologise to all concerned.

“I would also like to thank my teammates for the progress we have made as a team over the last few months. I hope my unfortunate actions will not in any way deter our march towards further success,” Lara added.

Following reported statements by Lara during and after the fourth Test against India, the WICB president had written to Lara. This matter was subsequently discussed at a meeting of the Board on July 13.

A committee headed by the president and comprising Sir Alister Mc Intyre, Clive Lloyd and Gregory Shillingford was appointed to meet Lara to hear his version of events which led to his unfortunate statements.

At the meeting Lara was asked to make a public apology for his statements and agreed to do so.

The WICB president’s letter said: “Dear Brian, since speaking to you, I have read the full text of your statement made at the end of the fourth Test against India. You may also by now have read my e-mail sent to Clive Lloyd on July 3 and copied to you.

“Let me admit that I empathised with rationale you outlined during our conversation in support of the additional pace against the Indians and passion of your conviction that the series could have been won by 3-1. We need both conviction and passion to continue to build on what has been achieved.

“But we need to send a signal that a new start is being made. That we will resolve our differences internally and present a unified front to cricketing world that the West Indies cricket is on way up again.

“Your statement did not contribute to sending that message and it was unfortunate. I feel certain our Board is fully supportive of the principle that the captain should be comfortable with the team he leads. This does not mean he can have his way every time but it does mean his views need to be very carefully weighed. From your comments you clearly did not think that this was done.

“Please contact me on your return for I would like to have a frank and open discussion between our Chairman of Cricket Committee; Convenor of Selectors and us both. We must ensure this type of situation does not reoccur,” the letter said.
Source:The News

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