The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has thrown its full support behind Guyana Harpy Eagles duo Veerasammy Permaul and Kevlon Anderson, who have taken legal action to challenge ball tampering charges laid against them earlier this month during the final round of the West Indies Championship.
The players, represented by attorney Arudranauth Gossai, have filed an application in the High Court of Guyana, aiming to clear their names after being found guilty of Level 2 breaches of Cricket West Indies’ (CWI) Code of Conduct during their match against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force. Anderson was fined 90 per cent of his match fee, while Permaul received a 75 per cent deduction.
While both players initially pleaded guilty to the charges and accepted sanctions from match referee Michael Ragoonath, they now contend that their admissions were made under undue pressure. According to court filings, Ragoonath presented the players with an ultimatum to plead guilty and pay a fine or face a 100 per cent fine and suspension if they pursued a hearing.
Veerasammy Permaul.
The GCB has condemned the handling of the matter, describing the conduct of Ragoonath and on-field umpires Christopher Taylor and Kashif Sandy as “unprofessional, unethical, and a serious breach of procedural fairness.”
"Faced with this representation from the referee, the two players formed the opinion that they had no choice but to plead guilty to the charge, despite previously submitting written denial to the referee and, in the case of Permaul, maintaining his innocence at the hearing. Anderson was not afforded a hearing,” the GCB said in a strongly worded statement.
The board emphasized that the process lacked transparency and due process, noting that such treatment is unacceptable in the region’s premier domestic tournament. Despite the issues, the Harpy Eagles successfully retained the championship title.
Kevlon Anderson
"The Guyana Cricket Board is profoundly disappointed by the handling of this matter in Trinidad and expected a much higher standard of governance. In light of these events, both players have taken the bold and commendable step of seeking justice through the High Court, aiming to restore their reputations and ensure such incidents do not recur," the release continued.
The GCB reaffirmed its commitment to supporting its players as well as its advocacy for upholding principles of good governance, transparency, and accountability at all levels in West Indies cricket. The board also argued that the charges “cast a cloud over what should have been a celebration of West Indies cricket at its highest domestic level.”