Cricket West Indies (CWI) has issued a statement distancing itself from a series of sexual assault and misconduct allegations made against a Guyanese player currently representing the regional side in the ongoing three-Test series against Australia.
Responding to growing media scrutiny, the regional cricket body released a brief statement, confirming that it has not received any official communication or documentation related to the allegations, and therefore cannot comment further at this time.
“Cricket West Indies (CWI) has not received any communication or official information and is therefore unable to comment at this time,” CWI said when contacted by one media entity.
The situation has cast a cloud of controversy over the West Indies camp, with pressure mounting amid reports emerging from Guyanese media outlets that CWI had in fact been made aware of the allegations, following the publication of a report detailing disturbing claims by an alleged victim.
According to those reports, one of the alleged incidents occurred shortly before the first Test match in Barbados, which concluded on Friday with Australia defeating the West Indies by 159 runs.
As preparations continue for the second Test in Grenada, questions are now being asked about the player’s status within the squad and whether he will feature in the West Indies playing eleven.
The allegations come at a delicate time for West Indies cricket, as the team looks to bounce back and level the series at 1-1. However, the focus has now shifted from performance on the field to off-field issues that could have lasting implications for the player involved and the governing body.
CWI has not indicated whether an internal investigation will be launched or whether player selection will be impacted ahead of the second Test.
