WICB committee to investigate Lara's outburst against selectors

St John's, Antigua, July 16 (UNI) Brian Lara's outburst against the selectors after the Test series loss against India will be investigated by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), which has appointed a four-member committee to look into the allegations made by the skipper and take approprate action after talking to him in the next two weeks.

''The Board considered at length the recent statements and actions of Brian Lara during and after the conclusion of the fourth Test match versus India at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica,'' the WICB said in a statement here.

''It was agreed to appoint a committee headed by the President of the WICB, together with Sir Alister Mc Intyre and Messrs Clive Lloyd and Gregory Shillingford to investigate all matters relating to Lara's statements. They may take such action as they may consider appropriate after these matters are discussed with him,'' the release added.

The WICB members' and Directors' meeting held in Barbados had earlier retained Lara as the captain of the team and also agreed to overhaul the selection as demanded by him.

Lara is currently away from the Caribbean and the committee will meet him within the next two weeks.

The board has also decided to offer retainer contracts to Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Chris Gayle, Corey Collymore, Fidel Edwards and Denesh Ramdin.

Dwayne Bravo was also considered for inclusion but was left out in view of his contract with the rival company of Digicel, WICB's major sponsor. However, the board assured that Bravo would be considered for selection on the basis of a match tour contract.

An eighth player will be announced shortly.

A number of other decisions were also taken in relation to audited accounts, appointment of non-member Directors, election of selection panel for a new two year term, marketing and fund raising initiatives, and the domestic schedule of matches.

The WICB amended its constitution to make room for the provision of hearing complaints made against any ''Director, Officer, Player or Official of the Board involving breaches of Bye-Laws or Rules (including any Code of Ethics adopted by the Board for good governance) and provisions for the imposition of fines or penalties.'' The meeting also approved the appointments of McIntyre, Lloyd and Grenville Phillips as Directors with full voting rights. Their term will be until the next annual general meeting of the Board.

Earlier, Gordon Greenidge was appointed as the new Chairman of the selection panel consisting of Clyde Butts and Andy Roberts. They have been appointed for a two year term.

The Board also praised the outgoing selection panel Chairman Joey Carew, who declined to be nominated, and expressed its appreciation of his contribution to West Indies cricket in his role as a selector over a period of almost three decades.

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