Windies players hit back in row

Gayle wants assurances over player contracts

The West Indies players embroiled in a contractual dispute with the country's governing body have hit back following a demand for an apology.

Thirteen leading players, including captain Chris Gayle, have gone on strike and missed the 95-run first Test defeat by Bangladesh in St Vincent.

But the West Indies Players Association (Wipa) has refused to apologise to the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

Wipa cited a long list of grievances which it says need to be resolved.

In a statement, Wipa claims the WICB "lost $3m as a result of breach of agreement, spent $1m dollars in the courts in London unsuccessfully defending a legal action" as well as "made an out-of-court settlement with a broadcaster for breach of contract".

West Indies were forced to field a second-string side against Bangladesh, who secured their first ever Test victory overseas at Arnos Vale on Monday.

And the selectors look set to field another weakened team for the second Test in Grenada, which starts on Friday.

Wipa chief executive Dinanath Ramnarine said the striking players were united in their stance.

"Although they want to play, they're not going to back down under this pressure," he said.