Is there trouble in the camp?: CWI has not met with Guyana Government without GCB – Grave

By Brandon Corlette

A letter that was meant to remain confidential has come to the attention of the media. Based on reliable sources, this letter, sent by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) to Cricket West Indies (CWI), expresses dissatisfaction that CWI are meeting with the Government of Guyana and leaving the GCB out of discussions regarding the hosting of international matches at the National Stadium at Providence.
CWI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Johnny Grave has shut down the noise while admitting that due to the global pandemic, CWI are required to have more conversations with the Ministry of Sport and the Ministry of Health.

“There is no truth to it. We have not met with governments without local boards. I think we have been very clear that we want all the stakeholders to support cricket, and that includes the Government, especially in COVID-19 time,” Grave disclosed on Tuesday’s Mason and Guest radio programme.
Asked if he had received a letter from GCB, Grave replied: “We are not going to any governments in the region without the local boards. Every meeting we have with governments, there are local representatives on the boards involved. We met with the GCB last night (Monday night) on hosting the Pakistan games. we met with them on Friday, I do not know what else to say.”
Grave, a long-serving CWI CEO, has said the CWI are asking the Government to support the hosting of cricket medically and occupationally, and CWI have done this in full and open transparency with the local boards.
“Have we ever met with the Government without the local boards? No, we have not,” Grave emphasised.

Why is the GCB concerned?
Based on what Grave disclosed on the Mason and Guest radio programme, and what questions Grave was pressed with by host Andrew Mason, the absolute truth was not evident.
This daily publication has reliably been informed that the letter would have prevented the GCB from benefiting financially when international cricket is being played at Providence.
Customary, the GCB would benefit from ticket sales and hospitality of matches being played at Providence, but based on the facts of the letter that was meant to remain confidential, GCB would not benefit from any of the proceeds.
West Indies and Pakistan will play the first two T20 Internationals in Bridgetown, Barbados on July 27 and July 28. The two teams will then travel to Guyana and play the final three T20I matches at Providence on July 31, August 1, and August 3. It is yet to be confirmed whether fully vaccinated fans would be allowed at Providence.

BCA caught and bowled?
The Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) was left out of discussions with CWI relative to hosting Australia. In an article written by the Barbados Today on July 16, the BCA described the acts of CWI as insulting and disrespectful.
BCA had confirmed in a press release that no spectators would be allowed into Kensington Oval for the three One-Day International matches that started on Tuesday, July 20.
The release included: “It says that there is a disconnect between Cricket West Indies and the Barbados Cricket Association, there is a disconnect. It is insulting. You cannot come into a place and step over the local (governing body).
“What I find disrespectful is that Cricket West Indies would find it possible to negotiate with the Government of Barbados without the involvement of the local organisation,” a highly reliable and well-placed source had told Barbados Today on strict condition of anonymity.