At a Press conference in Antigua yesterday following a two-day meeting, the board announced that the sponsorship deal with Seagrams, brand owners of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, was worth US$175 000. It could go to US$200 000 if the regional side wins the Test series plusUS$50 000 if they win the One-Day version.
This bounty would be shared between the players and the WICB.
Money was one of the issues raised in the recent impasse between the WICB and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) which threatened to wreck the South Africa tour, but yesterday the WICB put up a brave face amidst the recent battles.
There was no big showdown, with the only change being the resignation of WICB vice-president Julian Hunte.
President Pat Rousseau urged all present to be positive for the game's sake. He spoke mostly about operational matters apart from announcing that the board would be appointing an industrial relations consultant in the wake of the stand-off.
It was revealed that in the year 2000 Pakistan and New Zealand will be touring the Caribbean to play three Tests each against the West Indies. All three will contest a triangular One-Day tournament in between the Test series – the first of its kind in the region.
No sponsor has yet been found for the 1999 regional first-class competition which will run from January 15 to February 15. The semifinals will be held on February 19-22 and February 26 to March 1 and the final on March 20-23.
Barbados has been selected to host next year's Nortel Under-19 tournament in July. After the three-day competition there will be a One-Day knockout competition, with Canada and the Nortel Development XI taking part along with the traditional six territories. The final for this competition will replace the Nortel All Star Game.
Guyana will host the Carib Cement Under-15 league in August, which has been extended to a two-day rather than a One-Day format.
It was decided that effective next January 1, the WICB will be incorporated in the British Virgin Islands as the legal framework and tax-free elements there are of immense benefit to the board.