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Attorneys from both sides have been called in the middle to offer advice as the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and former fast bowling great Courtney Walsh have an urgent matter to thrash out.

A media report in Jamaica suggested Walsh could stand to lose up to US$75 000 of the estimated US$300 000 that he has in the WICB Provident Fund and has turned the matter over to his Grand Cayman-based attorney.

Walsh, Test cricket's record holder with 519 wickets in 132 Test matches, confirmed that he was aware of a problem, but said he would like to have dialogue with the WICB before he made detailed public statements.

I haven't spoken to the board yet, so I would prefer if I speak to the board and find out what the situation is, Walsh was quoted as saying in the Sunday Herald. I gather though that some mistakes were made and I would like to know more about those mistakes, he said.

The WICB's finance committee met in Barbados last weekend where they discussed the matter at length, and also sought legal advice.

When approached for comment, president of the Barbados Cricket Association, Stephen Alleyne, a director of the WICB and member of the finance committee, said the matter was considered by the finance committee.

It obviously is a matter of great significance for the players and staff involved, and the committee has recommended that the WICB thoroughly investigate the matter and seek the advice of its attorneys, Alleyne said yesterday evening.

That process is in train, and once complete, the WICB would be in a position to respond to those who may be affected and make an appropriate public statement.

Alleyne was contacted after efforts to get a comment from senior WICB officials were unsuccessful.

Mike Hall, chief cricket operations officer, told NATIONSPORT he could not comment as he was not au fait with the matter.

I heard something was in the Press, so maybe you should get a comment from one of the directors, he said from his Antigua office.

President Wes Hall is in Sharjah with the West Indies Test side, chief executive officer Gregory Shillingford is in New Zealand with the West Indies Under-19s, and Trinidadian Richard Jodhan, the chief finance officer, is on vacation.

Sources indicate that after consultation, a switch of funds was implemented two years with the intent of securing a better return for the fund.

The money was originally invested on behalf of the fund by United Kingdom-based Eagle Star Insurance Investment and had been earning in the region of four per cent. It is believed officials felt a better rate could be obtained and this was the basis of the switch.

The Provident Fund was established several years ago by then treasurer Franz Botek, on the basis of players representing the West Indies team contributing five per cent of their earnings and the WICB contributing ten per cent.

© The Barbados Nation