Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Hinds

Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) president Jackie Hendriks has stood by the decision of an independent disciplinary committee to suspend former West Indies player Wavell Hinds for the rest of the calendar year.

Hinds was found guilty of breaching the JCA's disciplinary code of conduct during a Super Cup encounter against Trelawny on June 24. While he is not allowed to appeal the decision itself, Hinds is expected to seek to get a reduction in the length of the punishment.

"I cannot confirm as to whether his appeal has already been filed, but to the best of my knowledge he has indicated that he will appeal the suspension." Hendriks told The Gleaner.

Comfortable with process

The disciplinary committee responsible for pronouncing verdict on the Kensington captain, was chaired by Justice Howard Cooke Jr; former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Labour Tony Irons; chaplain of the JCA Rev Selvin Watson; attorneys Jeffrey Mordecai and Dr Lloyd Barnett.

This leaves the president confident that the decision was a well weighted one.

"The gentlemen who make up our disciplinary committee are very eminent gentlemen, they know the ins and outs of sorting through evidence," he remarked.

"After receiving the reports, they met with everyone involved and sifted through the facts before making a decision. We are quite confident and comfortable with the process we have put together and I think itis a very fair one."

One year ago, the JCA launched an independent committee respon-sible for disciplinary matters. Previously the aggrieved party did not have a right to appeal against the board.

If Hinds' appeal is thrown out the current Jamaica captain will be ineligible for national selection with the regional cricket season expected to begin in October.

Chris Gayle, who led the West Indies in a recent one day international series win over England and former captain Tamar Lambert are the likely replacements.

Hinds last represented the West Indies in a triangular one-day international series against Australia in India in November 2006.