The impasse over fees and conditions threatens the imminent tour of South Africa.

Speaking from the Excelsior Hotel in London, former West Indies cricket captain Courtney Walsh said the time was right for players to have more say in the game they played and it would be brought to bear in what could be an eventful and stormy meeting today.

``We think the time is right for us to start doing things we think can improve the image and standard of West Indies cricket,'' he said. Walsh said the support for Brian Lara and Carl Hooper had relaxed them a lot. ``The support for Brian and Carl has been very good. All of the players are behind them and are very supportive.''

Lara and Hooper were stripped of the captaincy and vice-captaincy, respectively, and withdrawn from the tour to South Africa, for refusing to go there as scheduled. The two headed to London, seeking to have a meeting with the WICB.

During a brief stop-off in Barbados, Rousseau said he was hoping to have the current impasse settled amicably.

Rousseau, chief marketing executive Chris Dehring and fellow board members Richard DeSouza and Joel Garner, have invited WIPA to meet with them at 1 p.m.