MELBOURNE, Australia, CMC:
CRICKET AUSTRALIA, the sport's governing body in the country, has expressed a mixture of delight and relief that West Indies are sending a full-strength squad for next month's Test series.
There were fears that a number of the Caribbean's biggest stars, including double world batting record holder Brian Lara, would not tour because of a protracted contract dispute between the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and West Indies Players' Association (WIPA).
The deadlock has not been resolved but both parties reached an agreement to have the issue mediated.
"It's great news," Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive James Sutherland told reporters.
"With their big names touring including Lara, (Ramnaresh) Sarwan and (Chris) Gayle they will put out a good line-up. It means we will see the best," Sutherland said.
Sutherland claimed there was no pressure from CA on the WICB to ensure they sent a competitive side because CA would not interfere in the domestic issues of another country.
"We wanted the best ... that didn't need to be said," Sutherland said.
The WICB has been at loggerheads with the WIPA because of its controversial sponsorship deal with Irish telecommunications corporation Digicel, which conflicts with personal sponsorships.
The players have agreed to sign contracts for the Australia tour subject to negotiations, which are being conducted by the International Cricket Council and the WIPA.
The agreement ensures there will be no repeat of the summer tour of Sri Lanka in July and August, when 10 top players refused to sign contracts and took no part.
As a result, a virtual reserve side lost 2-0 in the two-Test series and won just one of four one-day internationals in the triangular tournament with India and Sri Lanka.
West Indies play three Tests in Australia, beginning in Brisbane on November 3.
