The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and its players, through the West Indies Players Association (WIPA), are still at it and, to be truthful, it seems they will be at it for quite some time.

Although common sense suggests that it should be simple to sit down, look at all the facts, including the money coming in from the game, and how, in the best interest of the game, it should be distributed, it seems because of problems past that it will be difficult.

Neither side, it appears, trusts the other.

While they spar, however, while they bob and weave, West Indies cricket is suffering, West Indies cricket is being embarrassed by those selected to represent the West Indies, and West Indies cricket, like the proud people of the West Indies, needs an end, a quick end to the hostilities.

wipa's solution

Hunte and Ramnarine

A few days ago, before the surprising sacking of John Dyson, the coach from Australia, something happened in Antigua and although, like so many things in the past, it may well be nothing but a gesture, hopefully this time around it will be something which will come to past and something which will last, if not forever, at least for a long, long time.

On Monday, in his report to the annual general meeting of the board, president Julian Hunte talked about some of the board's proposal in the memorandum of agreement (MOA) sent to WIPA on July 28, and among them are some interesting things, many of which, if accepted by WIPA, as they should, could solve many, if not all the problems of West Indies cricket.

First among them is not only a proposal to put as many as 15 West Indies players on retainer contracts, but also to place 84 players - 14 each from the six affiliates - on territorial contracts with other players selected to represent their respective territories to be paid on a 'pay-per-play' basis.

territorial contracts

The money to be paid out for the territorial contracts is some US$800,000, and although when it is divided by 84 that is not a lot of money, for a start it would be good as a retainer for our first-class players.

That is what so many have been calling for long ago, and on top of that, looking at old age and pension, those players, like those who represent the West Indies, will be included in the Provident Fund.

That is great. It is not a lot of money, but if this MOA is accepted, at least the first-class players in the region no longer will be treated, or made to feel, like second-class or third-class citizens.

What is also great, however, are the suggestions dealing with those who represent the West Indies.

According to Hunte, who is an honourable man, the suggestions from the board to WIPA, as far as the players' earnings are concerned, are that the players get a percentage share of the aggregate projected revenue of the board, that there be an annual increase in retainer contracts and fixed payments for the players, and most important, that there be "variable" payments to the players based on performance-based on things like the ICC team rankings and other performance-related criteria.

According to Hunte, the rest of the board's money will go to "cricket development, institutional capacity, tournaments and tours".

cricket development

Hunte did not say so, but hopefully, he understands that cricket in the clubs falls under cricket development, and will see to it that some of the board's money, even a little of it, which will go to cricket development, will include something for the struggling clubs, the institutions which, over the years, have produced the great players in West Indies cricket and which must continue to do so if West Indies cricket is to return to the top.

According to Hunte, he is waiting to hear from president Dinanath Ramnarine and WIPA, he is looking towards having everything in place by October 1, and although one expects a little opposition, even though it would be surprising if Ramnarine does not, quite rightly and understandably so, try to get more for the players, there is one hope and one prayer.

The hope, the prayer, is that both parties will see eye to eye for a change, that although they will argue they will do so with both eyes on West Indies cricket and that everything will be sorted by then.

genuine issues

Hunte, once an active politician, said on Wednesday that the board had to act decisively and definitively to establish a transparent and accountable framework for dealing with the players, that the board did what it did because it could not just sit aside and accept the recent strike action by the players and, in my opinion, the board, on that occasion, was right.

Hunte, however, also said that he will not pretend that players do not have grievances or dissatisfaction, that he will not pretend that the WICB does not have numerous flaws and deficiencies, and that there are genuine issues and concerns to be addressed.

Hunte, however, also told the members of the board that "we need to establish the framework for managing the relationship with WIPA and the players to ensure that that we live up to our obligations and be able to manage the performance of players".

That sounds like Hunte was, and is, offering the proverbial olive branch, and if that is so, I hope and pray that in the interest of West Indies cricket, Ramnarine will accept it on behalf of the players, just as I hope and pray that the next coach will be a West Indian.