At the same time, he thinks the WICB must be more open to the WIPA.

His comments come in the aftermath of the impasse between the two bodies that nearly threatened the current tour of South Africa.

``We have had a meeting with them since, discussing contracts for 1999, and I think there are things that have to be done on both sides,'' Rousseau told reporters following the launch of the 1999 Busta Cup in Trinidad on Thursday.

``They have to develop a much more responsive and professional organisation. We also have to develop a more responsive method to them.

``It's all part of the process and I think it will occur over time. We just have to work at it more aggressively.''

Communication was another area Rousseau identified both sides needed to improve.

``They need to get - just like we are doing - professional advice to improve the whole relationship and communication,'' he said.

``That's part of what we have agreed. They have done a lot of work on it, but it's just going to take time.''

Rousseau had just returned from South Africa where he watched the opening Test and, from time to time, he was in contact with the West Indies players.

``We have not had a formal meeting but I have talked with a good many of them and I think the mood (in the team) is pretty good,'' he said.

``There is no doubt that whole incident must have some affect on their psyche but I don't think it is sort of affecting them now,'' added the WICB boss who is going back to South Africa in time for the second Test starting on Thursday.

South Africa are rated as one of the best fielding teams in the world, but Rousseau feels the West Indies can match them in that department.

``We tend to a bit critical of our players. South Africa's ground fielding may be better than ours, but I'm satisfied that we catch better than they do,'' he said. ``What we lose in runs in the field, we can make it up with good catching. I think our slip catching is better than theirs.''