David Leggat: Caribbean team putting the wind up

West Indies Batsman Kirk Edwards. Photo / Christine Cornege

The West Indies are being difficult. Grumpy players pulled out of what would have been a lucrative visit to India. Now South Africa are waiting to find out if the Windies will fulfil an agreement to visit the republic in December-January for a test and limited overs series.

Then, in turn, World Cup organisers will be hoping there's no further trouble ahead of the big show, which starts in Christchurch on February 14.

Right now you wouldn't want to fork out much money on certainties around the Caribbean game.

But rest easy. Hong Kong are ready to step in should the West Indies fail to muster in February.

They were the final team eliminated in the qualifying event in New Zealand early this year, therefore they would be next in line.

"If we were given a spot at the World Cup, we'd grab it with both hands," Hong Kong's coach, Charlie Burke, said yesterday.

Let's be clear, the Hong Kong Cricket Association has not received a "be on standby lads" call just yet.

But the West Indies are a complete shower right now, after their leading players prematurely withdrew their services in India.

The West Indies Cricket Board is facing a significant legal bill after its Indian counterpart said this week proceedings would be started.

Lost earnings from the cancellation of the one remaining ODI, a T20 international and three tests could be as high as $US65 million ($83 million).

And in case you're assuming the West Indies players were united, arms linked, in their decision to stop playing - angry at their own players association's dealings with the WICB - try this from Jamaican Marlon Samuels.

A spiky character with past form for erratic behaviour, Samuels told a radio station that as his focus was on playing cricket, he didn't attend the meetings organised by captain Dwayne Bravo.

Samuels said he was ready to play the fifth ODI in Kolkata. While team meetings were going on, "I was in my room ordering room services or on Skype with my kids as I had no time for those meetings and talking.

"It was all about cricket for me".

Esprit de corps and all that.

The WICB has been at pains to ease Cricket South Africa's concerns. It says it will "use its best endeavours" to ensure the tour proceeds.

Best endeavours, eh? If you were CSA right now you'd be hugely comforted by that.