The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ended the confusion over the status of West Indies' tour of India by categorically stating that the series has been called off, despite the WICB claiming that it has not yet done so.
Uncertainty prevailed over the continuation of West Indies' tour to India with the BCCI stating that it has been called off by the WICB and announcing a replacement tour while the Windies Board said in a statement later that it had not taken any such decision.
Earlier in the day, the BCCI had issued a statement saying that the West Indies cricket team has pulled out of the remaining part of its India tour in the wake of an acrimonious ongoing pay dispute with their Board and has roped in Sri Lanka for a five-match ODI series.
The aggrieved Caribbean players were persuaded to take the field for the fourth ODI at Dharamsala but have conveyed their decision to call off the remaining part of tour to the BCCI, which is now contemplating legal action against the visitors.
The WICB said in a later statement that "contrary to media reports, it has taken no decision to discontinue the ongoing tour to India" and "will make a statement following the conclusion of the fourth ODI which is in progress".
Apparently to clear the air over the uncertainty, the BCCI issued another statement later, saying that the tour has been "curtailed" and no further matches will be held.
"The BCCI would like to clarify that despite all its efforts, Micromax Cup India vs West Indies ODI series has been curtailed because of the ongoing issue between WICB and its players, and the withdrawal of the WI team from the ongoing tour of India," BCCI Secretary Sanjay Patel said in a release.
Patel said at 2pm today, West Indies team manager Richie Richardson sent a mail to him, saying that the visiting players have decided not to continue with the tour.
"17 October – 2:00 pm: Mr. Richie Richardson sent a mail to the BCCI stating the following: 'Despite agreeing to play the 4th ODI in Dharamshala, regrettably, the current West Indies players have decided that they will not participate any further in this tour and wish to return home after this match.
"In light of this, I suggest that the entire squad travel to Delhi tomorrow and be booked into a hotel there, until international return flights have been booked. On behalf of the entire squad and WICB, I apologise for the inconvenience caused'," Patel quoted a mail sent by Richardson.
"This makes it clear that all along, the WICB was withdrawing its team if a resolution was not reached in the issue with their players," Patel said.
The BCCI gave a timelime of how the events unfolded during the day, leading to the calling off of the tour.
7 October 2014: Mr Dave Cameron (WICB President) sent a copy of a letter addressed to Mr Wavell Hinds, which stated that the failure of the West Indies players to take the field will leave the WICB with - 'no alternative but to cancel the match and notify the BCCI accordingly and recall the team.'
8 October 2014: Around 3:00 am India time, Mr. Dave Cameron sent a mail to the BCCI stating he is withdrawing the team from the tour. Mr. Sanjay Patel rushed to Kochi and spoke to the WI players and managed to get on with the match.
12 October 2014: Mr. Patel met Mr. Cameron in Dubai and asked him for a confirmation that the rest of the tour will go on. Mr. Cameron assured that by close of business on Wednesday 15 October, he will confirm one way or the other. .
16 October 2014: There was no response from Mr. Cameron. Mr. Patel sent a reminder mail to Mr. Cameron, seeking an urgent response.
17 October 2014 – 3:00 am: Mr. Cameron sent a response stating that - 'WICB are not able to provide any assurances or guarantees' and that WICB will communicate their position by end of the day on 17 October.
17 October 2014 – 10:00 am: Mr. Richard Pybus of the WICB sent a mail to the BCCI stating - 'WICB’s position is that if the players refuse to play then the players must return home and the rest of the ODI and Test tour is called off. This has been discussed with the WICB President and CEO and they are fully aware of developments here.'
17 October – 2:00 pm: Mr. Richie Richardson sent a mail to the BCCI stating the following: 'Despite agreeing to play the 4th ODI in Dharamshala, regrettably, the current West Indies players have decided that they will not participate any further in this tour and wish to return home after this match. In light of this, I suggest that the entire squad travel to Delhi tomorrow and be booked into a hotel there, until international return flights have been booked. On behalf of the entire squad and WICB, I apologise for the inconvenience caused.'
"This makes it clear that all along, the WICB was withdrawing its team if a resolution was not reached in the issue with their players," the BCCI said.
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