Kirk Edwards expelled from Barbados team

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) -- West Indies batsman Kirk Edwards has been expelled from the Barbados cricket team for the NAGICO Super50 tournament, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) reported on Sunday.

The decision to withdraw Edwards, a former captain, was made by the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) on Saturday.

BCA said there will be no replacement for Edwards who was due to return home late Sunday.

Barbados defeated Trinidad and Tobago by 28 runs in their opening match Sunday, spurred on by a maiden century from Jonathan Carter.

Meantime the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) has expressed shock and disbelief following the expulsion of Edwards from the Barbados team

“After Kirk made us aware that he had been threatened with expulsion from the team, and of the issue which had given rise to the threat, I immediately contacted Mr Reid (Hartley Reid) and asked if he would be good enough to meet with us and Kirk at the team hotel right after the WIPA AGM which was being held nearby and he agreed,” said WIPA president Wavell Hinds.

“We were firmly of the view that what Kirk had advised us of as being the issue was a matter which could be easily resolved through sensible and well-intentioned dialogue, and certainly nothing, not even in our wildest dreams, which might warrant the drastic and draconian abuse of power by the team’s manager”.

Edwards, 29, a current West Indies Test and One-Day player, was replaced as the Barbados captain for both the NAGICO tournament and the forthcoming first-class four-day championship of which Barbados are the title holders.

Batting all-rounder Kevin Stoute is leading the side in the NAGICO tournament, while Test opener Kraigg Brathwaite will be at the helm for the four-day championship, which is slated to start February 28.