Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo have signed the West Indies Cricket Board's annual retainer contract after a gap of three years. Both players were offered board's Grade A contracts, but Kieron Pollard, who was the third player in 2010 to refuse the central contract, did not feature in the list.
"I would like to believe it was a recommitment to West Indies cricket from both of them," Michael Muirhead, the WICB chief, told the Trinidad Express. "They were advised that they were being awarded contracts and they accepted, so it augurs well for West Indies cricket and we really did not have to go into negotiations or anything. The fact they are presenting themselves, making themselves available at the expense of the other leagues speaks for itself. I am happy about that."
Muirhead said the board was in discussions with the West Indies Players Association to work out the best solution for issuing no objection certificates to players when they go and play in other leagues. "For West Indies cricket to thrive and to grow they have to make themselves available," Muirhead said. "At the same time, we don't want to limit the amount or prevent their opportunities to earn."
Other cricketers to make it to the top grade include Sunil Narine, Darren Sammy, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Marlon Samuels. While only Kemar Roach was offered a Grade B contract, seven players were added to the Grade C list. The board also announced the list of 10 contracted women cricketers.
List of contracted players
Grade A - men's: Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels
Grade B - men's: Kemar Roach
Grade C - men's: Darren Bravo, Johnson Charles, Kirk Edwards, Kieran Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Shane Shillingford
Grade A - women's: Shanel Daley, Anisa Mohammed, Deandra Dottin, Stafanie Taylor
Grade B - women's: Merissa Aguilleira, Shemaine Campbell, Subrina Munroe, Shaquana Quintyne, Shakera Selman, Tremayne Smartt
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