WEST Indies Cricket Board (WICB) new CEO, Johnny Grave, claims the body has been taken aback by a damages claim from suspended batsman Darren Bravo when an end to the impasse seemed imminent.
Bravo has not appeared for the West Indies since November of last year when he was pulled from the team’s tour of Zimbabwe after posting an offensive tweet regarding WICB president Dave Cameron.
The player took exception to the Cameron’s assertion that he was not given a better retainer contract because he had not deserved it and the incorrect suggestion that he had previously held an A contract. Bravo voiced his displeasure on social media platform Twitter where he called the top official an “idiot”.
The WICB had demanded that the tweet be removed in 24 hours and an apology, none of which has been acquiesced to so far. After months of negation Grave claims he believed a solution was at hand.
“I thought everything was agreed with his legal advisrrs. We didn’t want this to play out publicly but yes, it is true, his attorney is asking for damages and West Indies supporters deserve an explanation as to why he is not in the squad in Jamaica,” Grave told Espncricinfo, after claiming that terms of an apology from both parties had already been agreed to.
“There is still a lot of sympathy for Darren. He was frustrated at the time of that tweet and we understand that. We want to move on and we want to move on with him. But that issue does have to be resolved before he can play for West Indies,” he added.
Bravo claims for damages amount to US$120 000 and takes into account a loss of earnings for both the Zimbabwe and subsequent Sri Lanka tour, but also BPL and PSL contracts, and regional Caribbean competitions.
Grave admits the inclusion of the T20 competitions was another surprise as the player has been quickly given No Objection Certifications (NOC) upon request. (Sportsmax.com)