No apology coming from Bravo - WI manager
published: Tuesday | May 10, 2005

BRAVO

(CMC):

WEST INDIES manager Tony Howard says Graeme Smith should not hold his breath waiting for a public apology from Dwayne Bravo.

Howard, the former Barbados and West Indies off-spin bowler, has jumped to the defence of Bravo and emphatically stated that no apology will be forthcoming from the West Indies all-rounder.

"Our position is quite clear," Howard told CMC CricketPlus in a brief interview after West Indies lost the first One-day International to South Africa by eight wickets on Saturday at Sabina Park.

"It was a matter that was reported, adjudicated upon, and a decision was handed down. Like true cricketers, we abided by the decision of the Match Referee. As far as we are concerned, the matter is closed.

FULL CONFIDENCE

"We would like to say, however, on behalf of the management of the West Indies team and, indeed, the West Indies Cricket Board, that we have full confidence in Dwayne, and in the processes that the International Cricket Council has put in place to deal with matters like these."

Smith has demanded an apology from Bravo, after he was cleared of racially abusing the young West Indies all-rounder in the fourth Test in Antigua, and was prepared to take the case further if the apology was not forthcoming.

The South Africa captain was charged with breaching the ICC Code of Conduct after Howard lodged a complaint following Bravo's allegation.

But Match Referee Jeff Crowe, the former New Zealand captain, found Smith not guilty after a hearing on Wednesday.

The alleged incident also led to unsportsmanlike conduct from Wavell Hinds that cost him his entire match fee.

When Hinds was asked to bowl during South Africa's second innings in Antigua, he delivered a searing bouncer to Smith with an illegal action for which he was also called for a no-ball for overstepping the popping crease.

"We do not of course condone such behaviour," Howard said.

"Anybody who knows me, knows precisely that any act that's contrary to the rules and spirit of the game is not going to be taken lightly in the West Indies camp.