GCB launches “investigation” into Guyanese contract snub

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has launched what it calls an “investigation” into the circumstances that led to Guyanese players not being awarded International Retainer Contracts by Cricket West Indies (CWI).

The Board highlighted concerns over four players- batsman Shimron Hetmyer, all-rounders Keemo Paul and Romario Shepherd and left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul- who did not make the list of 18 players released by CWI this week.

Incidentally, the CWI Selection Panel is headed by Guyanese Roger Harper, who is a Technocrat Member of the GCB.

Below is a statement issued by the GCB on Friday afternoon.

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) notes with great concern the information that Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul and Romario Shepherd were not awarded International Retainer Contracts by the Cricket West Indies (CWI).

The GCB is also concerned with the non-award of an International Retainer Contract to Veerasammy Permaul.

The GCB is not aware and was not informed of the criteria used for the award of International Retainer Contracts nor were any reasons given for the non-award of International Retainer Contract to these four (4) players.

The non-award of International Retainer Contracts to these players by CWI is a matter of extreme concern to the GCB and to the Guyanese public and the GCB intends to fully investigate this matter.

The GCB has since written to CWI requesting a copy of the criteria which was used to award International Retainer Contracts and the report submitted by the selection panel on which the decision was made not to award International Retainer Contracts to Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul and Romario Shepherd, and also to Veerasammy Permaul.

The GCB will update the public as soon as the criteria and the report are submitted by CWI.