CARICOM diplomacy the answer, says Findlay

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) -- A former West Indies player, chief selector and manager believes CARICOM's help is needed if the West Indies Cricket Board is to avoid the hefty multimillion-dollar pay-out the Indian Cricket Board has demanded as compensation for the recently abandoned tour.

Mike Findlay, who played 10 Tests between 1969 and 1973, said it was important a high-level regional delegation travelled to India to engage the Indian government in talks over the issue.

"We may very well have to call on governments of the Caribbean who are friendly with the Indian government to mount a diplomatic mission to India because diplomacy is required," Findlay told the Trinidad Express newspaper.

"Here is where CARICOM can play a very critical and important role because I don't know where they (the WICB) will get that money. If they have to pay then West Indies cricket will be on the precipice of collapse. We are struggling already.

"Even in the Caribbean the crowds have fallen off, the sponsorship has fallen off, it is a lot of trouble we are in. It is a tall order."

Indian cricket authorities have demanded nearly US$42 million in compensation for West Indies players quitting the tour of India after the fourth game of the intended six-match limited overs series.

[color=rgb(26, 26, 26)]"Even in the Caribbean the crowds have fallen off, the sponsorship has fallen off, it is a lot of trouble we are in. It is a tall order." [/color]
[color=rgb(26, 26, 26)][/size][/color]
[color=rgb(26, 26, 26)][/size]it will continue to fail.  its a disaster [/color]