West Indies Cricket Crisis Deepens Amid Claims Three Captains Have Been Sacked

West Indies cricket remains shrouded in uncertainty amid conflicting reports regarding the future of their three captains after they withdrew from last month's tour of India.

The ongoing crisis sparked by a pay dispute appears to deepened after Andrew Mason, host of the Mason and Friends Show in Barbados, claimed the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) have decided to sack Test captain Denesh Ramdin, one-day captain Dwayne Bravo and T20 captain Darren Sammy.

Despite reports earlier this week of a reconciliation between the board and players, it is claimed the trio will be officially dismissed later this week and will be replaced by Kraigg Brathwaite (Tests) and Jason Holder (ODIs and T20Is), according to the West Indies cricket blog.

However, reports of the dismissals clash with comments made by ODI skipper Bravo on Tuesday, claiming the impasse between WICB and the players is close to being resolved.

"It's all sorted out and the West Indies are going to be back playing again," Bravo was quoted as saying by the Jamaican Observer. "As far as I know the best West Indies team will tour South Africa.

"Everyone is available as far as I know and we look forward to trying to give the South African boys a good run. It's always going to be tough, but it's good that all the matters are resolved now."

Former Test captain Chris Gayle has also spoken optimistically of his team's chances for the upcoming tour of South Africa despite the ongoing dispute.

"Hopefully, the dispute can be resolved and we will play against South Africa," Gayle told the West Indies Players' Association.

"The current situation between players and officials in the West Indies is unfortunate, but these disputes do happen occasionally. Talks are taking place to try and resolve the issue and I would love the South Africa tour to go ahead."

The stand-off that has cast a shadow over West Indies cricket emerged after they pulled out of two one-day games and the scheduled three-match Test series against India after a pay dispute with players.

As a result of the withdrawal, the India cricket board is seeking $42m in compensation, a figure they believes will cover losses from the prematurely cut tour, a figure which would likely bankrupt West Indies cricket.