Jackie Hendriks

Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

JAMAICA and West Indies middle-order batsman Marlon Samuels has declined commenting on the charges of misconduct he's facing for speaking to an Indian bookmaker.

When contacted by The Gleaner yesterday for a reaction to charges that will be brought against him for misconduct following an internal West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) probe, Samuels said: "I have no comment ... the matter is with my lawyers."

The player has always maintained his innocence.

Meanwhile president of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), Jackie Hendriks, expounded on the matter.

He said: "My understanding is that he has breached the code of conduct regulation and that's what he has been charged for," Hendriks said.

"The board has referred the matter to the disciplinary committee for their investigation to process and findings which will he transferred to the International Cricket Council (ICC) in due course," he added.

"He has been charged with certain things and the matter is being handled by the disciplinary committee of the board (WI), to which Marlon will have his legal representation."

Once the WICB probe is completed, the ICC will launch an official equiry that will comprise the chairman of the Code of Conduct Commission and two Code of Conduct Commission members not connected with the WICB.

The official enquiry will review the findings of the WICB investigation and make recommendations to the executive board as to whether the investigation was carried out to the same standard that the official enquiry itself would have carried out such investigation and, if a sanction is applied by the WICB, whether it is appropriate given the nature of the conduct under investigation.

"I don't know if this has anything to do with misconduct," said Hendriks, adding "this is as far as I am aware".

He added: "The charges are - has he received any money, benefits, or other rewards, financial or otherwise, which would bring him or the game into disrepute; or has he engaged in any conduct which in the opinion of the executive board, relates directly or indirectly to any of these things in the code of conduct."

The WICB disciplinary committee, which is chaired by Justice Adrian Saunders, will conduct a hearing as soon as possible. Also on the committee are Professor Aubrey Bishop, Dr Lloyd Barnett and two players' representatives - Courtney Walsh and Richie Richardson

According to Hendriks, as "no guilt or anything has been established", Samuels will be able to play for Jamaica against Barbados in next week's fifth- round Carib Beer Series match.

"Certainly, there is nothing to prevent him from playing for Jamaica, apart from injury. There is nothing to prevent him," he repeated.

"I think that he is available for the next match against Barbados. His playing has nothing to with what his charges are, he has not been found guilty of anything," the JCA president stressed