West Indies acting Chief Executive Officer Roger Brathwaite is a disgruntled man. He believes the International Cricket Council's business model is detrimental to cricket.
Currently in Mumbai for the ICC Management Committee meeting, Brathwaite is keen to bring his country's perspective to the table and hopes to get favourable decisions that might save his nation's finances.
"West Indies cricket finances are at their lowest. The ICC business model just won't work for the betterment of cricket nations. It is a disastrous model for the future of the game," he told rediff.com.
The Future Tourism Program -- which ensures that all Test-playing nations play each other on a regular basis -- is the bone of contention between the West Indies and the ICC.
While the ICC believes that the program ensures everyone has the chance to play at the highest level regularly, the West Indies Board argues that it ignores the financial downfall of the program.
According to the ICC, until recently the smaller cricket-playing nations were at the mercy of the bigger ones. Zimbabwe are still to play a Test in Australia despite being a full member for 11 years.
But that should be counted more as an ICC shortcoming, what with Bangladesh touring Down Under before the African nation.
According to Brathwaite, earlier, when the West Indies toured England for a four-Test and five one-day series, it would reach an understanding with the English and Wales Cricket Board about sharing of gate money. Likewise, when England would tour the West Indies, there would be an agreement to the same effect.
But not anymore. Since the past three years the host country pockets the entire gate collection.
For a country like the West Indies, where there is limited gate collection, because the ground capacity does not exceed more than 8000-10,000 spectators at most venues, it becomes very difficult to manage its finances and developmental programs.
"With the FTP, even though there is notional fees exchange, no money exchanges hands. Earlier we could negotiate money with Australia and England; not anymore," Barthwaite says.
Brathwaite pointed out that without domestic television rights and a population of only six million, getting sponsorship for cricket is quite a challenge. With no local television market, selling the game is as difficult as unearthing quality talent.
"We will fight our cause. The Future Tourism Pragram will decide how world cricket is financed in the future," he said.
West Indies revival
The former Michel Oil Company employee said West Indies cricket is on the path to restoring its old glory.
"The selectors have sent the right signals with their conscious decision to inject the team with youth. Young players were chosen for the Australian series and they performed admirably.
"It was a good series, and though we did not win it, we were competitive. We could have drawn the series and probably won the one-day series 4-3."
The acting CEO said under Brian Lara's astute captaincy the West Indies regained lost pride.
"He [Brian] has performed better. His team has performed well. Along with Gus Logie [the coach] the team is working very hard. If Lara keeps going the way he is, the latter part of his career could be a gem."
The West Indies Cricket Board has also spent a lot of money on development over the past few years and the results are there to be seen.
"West Indies cricket's downfall over the past few years was because they were accustomed to success. It is a usual pitfall, but we are back," he averred.
Suspect action
Windies fast bowler Jermaine Lawson, who was reported by the ICC for suspect action, will soon be back in action, according to Braithwaite.
"The WICB has done all it could to rectify the problem. Lawson received a setback with his back problem and then the car accident a month after he was reported by the ICC. He is working very hard and has completed the first stage.
"With the naked eye his action seems okay; now it is up to the ICC to check him frame by frame and verify his action."
To avoid such incidents in the near future, Brathwaite recommends that under-13, under-15 and under-19 coaches should identify suspect actions and rectify them before the player plays first-class cricket.
He also clarified that former skipper Carl Hooper's career is far from over.
"He is still in our scheme of things and though he could not take part in the Australian series, he has made himself available for the South Africa and Zimbabwe series.
World Cup
Brathwaite signed off saying he wants his team to be the first host nation to win the World Cup in 2007 and showcase the Caribbean Islands to the world.
Financially, it would also give them a sound footing and allow them to have a semi-professional league.
Speaking about the logistical problems facing the World Cup in the West Indies, which is made up of 14 islands and unique currencies, Brathwaite said most of the world currencies, like the US dollar, UK pound and the Euro, would be acceptable by all the islands.
Barthwaite said co-hosting the World Cup with America is still a dream for the WICB because of the travelling and shifting of equipment across to the US and the problem of television rights.
"When we start allocating matches we will see if we can afford a few games in the US."
