West Indies cricketer Dwayne Bravo joined skipper Darren Sammy in criticizing the West Indies Cricket Board, saying "even Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) does more" for them compared to the West Indies Cricket Board. Bravo: "The country’s cricket is not in right hands. We have not got a telephone call from any of the WICB officials or directors. That’s not a good thing." He added, "We know that they did not want or believe that we could win this tournament. It was basically us against them. Even the BCCI does more for us." He "also questioned" how players like him, Chris Gayle and Andre Russell are being kept out of the West Indies ODI side (GULF NEWS, 4/4).
DRAMATIC TWIST: The National Rugby League integrity unit has called former Parramatta CEO Scott Seward to "provide evidence in the salary cap investigation that threatens to see the Eels docked competition points." In a "dramatic twist to the NRL's probe into Parramatta," the Eels have reportedly agreed to "waive Seward's confidentiality agreement for him to be interviewed next week, but on the proviso two club representatives sit in on the meeting." It is understood the NRL is "unlikely to accept the Eels' condition, and will require a private meeting" with Seward (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 4/5).
LEAGUE BRIEFS ...
Six-point tries and "some fundamental rule changes will operate on a trial basis" in New Zealand domestic rugby this year. NZ Rugby announced on Tuesday that new laws "aimed at making the game safer, simpler and more attractive will be trialled" in the National Provincial Championship and the second-tier Heartland Championship. There will be amendments to laws related to the tackle and breakdown, "while the point-scoring changes will be introduced to the Heartland Championship only" (AAP, 4/5).
The Lawn Tennis Association announced it will offer 10,000 free tennis lessons to young children "as part of a new initiative to increase participation numbers in the sport." The Tennis for Kids initiative, which is aimed at five-year-olds to eight-year-olds, has been set up in a bid to capitalize on Great Britain's Davis Cup win last year and "build a lasting legacy on the success." One thousand specially trained coaches will "lead the courses, which will run between the start of April and July." In addition to the free lessons, there will also be 10,000 free tennis rackets given out to youngsters who complete the course (London DAILY MIRROR, 4/5).
