Lara: Poor communication caused West Indies dispute

BrianLara

The Caribbean nation controversially pulled out of the tour after just three one-day internationals (ODI), after the players' dispute with the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) over payment structures was unresolved.

Lara, the West Indies' all-time Test and ODI leading run-scorer, said the West Indies Cricket Board had too many voices and not enough direction.

"I think communication is our biggest problem," Lara said, speaking in South Africa. 

"The coming together of all the heads, all the stakeholders, the public, the sponsors, the players, the administrators and letting everybody know what is the present [situation]. 

"I think everybody tries to operate in their own little environment and disregarding the importance of the other. 

"And without that communication, that holistic communication, it's very, very difficult to come to a common ground, a common goal and everybody thinking in the same direction."

Lara conceded that although issues surrounding money and West Indian cricketers are not a new thing, he said previous disputes could have sparked the ongoing one between the players and the WIPA.

"Yeah there were always financial problems, going way back in all eras of West Indies cricket," Lara said. 

"You hear stories with Sir Frank Worrell, right through to the Kerry Packer days, to today. Those issues have not been handled properly over the years and maybe they're still festering as we speak."

WIPA president Wavell Hinds is handling the situation well, according to Lara, who hopes a solution to the saga is found.

"Hinds was selected and I believe he is capable of doing a very good job," he said.

"As I said, I don't know all the details, but Wavell Hinds is a very competent person and I'm sure that between himself - as president of WIPA - and the players, they're going to get their matter in control."

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