BCCI might defer WICB compensation

The Board of Control for Cricket in India are unlikely to claim damages from the West Indies Cricket Board immediately, but might impose a series embargo in the wake of this month’s abandonment.

A payment structure dispute between the WICB and West Indies Players Association saw the series abruptly cut short. Friday’s fourth ODI at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharmasala was the last of a tour that was scheduled to feature six limited-overs fixtures and three Tests.

The main cause of the impasse between the WICB and WIPA is the memorandum of understanding and the combined bargaining agreement signed in September. Player representative and captain Dwayne Bravo had claimed WIPA president and CEO Wavell Hinds had signed the financial document without the contracted squad’s consent.

“We have referred the matter to our legal cell and asked them to let us know by 21 October about how we can pursue the issue legally,” BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel told ESPNcricinfo.

“They WICB entered into a bilateral agreement with us, and they abandoned the tour due to their internal issues, so we will have to seek compensation. But, depending on the legal advice, the working committee will decide the future course of action.”

The BCCI, whose financial losses due to the Windies’ cancellation might exceed Rs 400 crore (about US$65 million), have since sought and found Sri Lanka as replacement opposition, for five ODIs from 1 November.