DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Cricket's governing body took the unusual step Monday of publicly criticizing the West Indies team for its conduct after the team won the World Twenty20 tournament in India, saying it had considered bringing disciplinary charges against the players.
West Indies beat England by four wickets in the April 3 final after Carlos Brathwaite blasted four straight sixes in the final over.
After meeting Sunday at its headquarters in Dubai, the ICC board said ''certain comments and actions were inappropriate, disrespectful and brought the event into disrepute.''
The ICC ''acknowledged an apology by the WICB (West Indies Cricket Board) but was disappointed to note that such behavior had detracted from the success of what was otherwise a magnificent tournament and final.''
After winning the final, West Indies captain Darren Sammy said ''we had a lot of issues, we felt disrespected by our board'' and added ''I'm yet to hear from our own cricket board; that is very disappointing.''
Sammy's team-mates backed their captain in his criticism of the WICB, following a dispute over players' contracts.
ICC chairman Shashank Manohar said: ''The sport of cricket is proud of its unique spirit and this involves being gracious in victory as well as defeat and respectful at all times to the game, one's opponents, the sponsors and the fans.''
The board said ''very serious consideration had been given to bringing code of conduct charges in respect of the behavior of the West Indies players'' and that it ''was not acceptable conduct at ICC events played out on a world stage in front of millions of people around the globe.''
