WICB engages in public outreach

West Indies batting legend Desmond Haynes.
West Indies batting legend Desmond Haynes.
Associated Press / Andres Leighton, File

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is staging a series of town-hall meetings over the next three months across the region as it seeks to engage the public regarding challenges facing the regional game.

WICB President Dave Cameron said in a statement the move was an attempt to interact with the cricketing public and other stakeholders, with the objective of helping to restore their confidence in the board.

“We believe the public town-hall meeting is a great way to hear what people across the Caribbean have to say about important issues facing their game,” Cameron said.

He added: “We want to restore the public confidence in the WICB and we can only do this if we talk to our public — the fans, sponsors and our governments. We are looking to engage in open, honest dialogue with the public, so we encourage all to attend and actively participate, as we seek to rebuild West Indies cricket together.”

The first town-hall meeting was held at the UWI Cave Hill Campus last week.

The second is being scheduled for Dominica next month, just prior to the opening of the Test between West Indies and Australia at Windsor Park.

Meanwhile, West Indies batting legend Desmond Haynes says this year’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will be one of the best ever.

The 59-year-old cricketer who serves as ambassador for the Barbados Trident said the quality of overseas players and the well-balanced nature of the six franchises in the June 20 to July 26 tournament could prove to be the standout edition.

“I believe that this could be the best CPL because looking at the teams, I find that they are well balanced and all the teams are very competitive,” Haynes said.

South Africa’s Jacques Kallis heads the list of overseas stars coming for the third edition of the CPL with Sir Lanka’s Maheal Jayawardene and Lasith Malinga, England’s Kevin Peterson and Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi also set to feature.