Carl Moore, manager of the national cricket team is expected to submit a written report to the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) today on the fist fight between two senior Guyana players in Dominica on the third day of their third-round, Carib Beer regional cricket match against the Windward Islands which ended last week.
Former Test leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo and batsman Lennox Cush were involved in an argument which developed into a fight on the team bus at the Botanical Gardens in Roseau, Dominica and were later fined half of their match fee by Moore. The fight reportedly started over seating arrangement on the team bus, and both players, who are good friends, were dropped, along with batsmen Azeemul Haniff and Andre Percival when the team returned home for their fourth-round game against the Leewards at Enmore in Guyana. Cush, who left Guyana last week for the United States of America, and Nagamotoo, who attended the second day’s play of the fourth round match, struggled for form and confidence in the three ‘away’ games and, according to chairman of the national selection panel, Joe Solomon, were dropped because of their poor showing this year. “The selectors were never told by the board that any player should not be selected for disciplinary or any other reasons. We felt that the four players dropped, including Nagamootoo and Cush, had performed below the standard expected and should be given a rest,” Solomon told Stabroek Sports yesterday. “We were aware that the attitude of some of the players were found wanting in the away games and, of course, attitude is important when we pick or drop players. With our poor showing in the first three games, we wanted to give some of the younger players a chance at home,” the former West Indies batsman explained. Moore said he had given a verbal report to the Board adding that his written report would be handed over today.
He also pointed out that contrary to reports on cricket websites, wicket-keeper Vishal Nagamootoo, Mahendra’s younger brother, was in no way involved in the incident at the match venue in Dominica. “Vishal had a Shandy bottle with him on the bus but this had nothing to do with the fight. It is normal for the players to carry Carib beverages supplied by the sponsors with them after each day’s play. Someone must have thought that Vishal had the bottle to get involved in the fight without first checking the facts,” Moore said.
The Guyana manager added that the two players were subsequently fined (Nagamootoo US$181 and Cush US$156) which amounted to half of their match fee for their poor conduct and by the end of the match were back on friendly terms. Vice-President of the GCB Malcolm Peters, confirmed that the selectors were not under any instructions to drop or select anyone because of non-cricket related matters and did their job based on what they though was best for the next match. Peters added that Moore’s report will be investigated by the GCB before any action (if needed) will be taken by the board against the players.
At this point both Nagamootoo and Cush could be selected for any national game until the GCB says otherwise. Solomon said that while selectors look mainly at what happens on the cricket field, it is very important that the players understand their role as ambassadors. He added that things which happen off the field that could affect the team’s performance and the country’s image are also taken into account when they sit to pick teams. It is anticipated that a public statement will be issued by the GCB as soon as possible to clear the air on the matter.