Windies hit by player dispute

A dispute between the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and its players is threatening to disrupt preparations for their tour of Australia in January.

The West Indies Players Association (WIPA) has instructed members not to sign letters of invitation issued to those selected for a training camp before the tour, during which they play a one-day tournament against the hosts and Pakistan.

The WIPA is annoyed that the letters of invitation were sent directly to the players and fears the WICB is threatening to leave players out of the touring squad if they do not sign.

The WICB has hit back, however, by saying the letters are necessary.

"At the time of issue the Board indicated publicly that the re-instatement of the invitation policy was part of the process of transformation of the game in the region to meet the many commercial and other challenges of the new era," a statement said.

The training camp is due to begin on November 29 and the WICB said it hoped the players would sign up.

The WICB is also under pressure after the BBC reported that Barbados would have a shortage of beds when it hosts the World Cup final in 2007.

Stuart Layne, president of the Barbados Tourism Authority, said: "We will only build two or three new hotels so we are also looking at bed-and-breakfasts."

On the field, West Indies silenced their critics in September by winning the ICC Champions Trophy with a two-wicket victory over hosts England in the final.