ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), yesterday, advised that following engagement with the Government of Guyana on matters pertaining to the Cricket Administration Bill in that country, the parties have not been able to find a mutually agreeable resolution. The WICB has serious reservations that the Cricket Administration Bill which was passed in the Guyana National Assembly thrusts the administration of cricket in Guyana from an independent body to the Government of Guyana.
This the WICB views as undesirable and inconsistent with International Cricket Council (ICC) tenets.
The WICB had sought an undertaking from His Excellency President Donald Ramotar that the Bill not be signed into law until these matters are resolved.
The Board gave its commitment that once His Excellency President Ramotar provided such an undertaking all arrangements in Guyana will be kept in place.
Regrettably, the WICB has not received such an undertaking from His Excellency President Ramotar and as a consequence, the WICB is left with no option but to relocate the Third Test between West Indies and New Zealand from Guyana.
The WICB is currently considering alternative venues and the new venue of the Test will be announced on Monday (tomorrow) even as the dates for the Test – June 26 to 30 – remain the same.
The WICB regrets having to take this course of action, and seeks the understanding of cricket fans and stakeholders in Guyana, even as the WICB will continue to review all matters pertaining to cricket in Guyana.