BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

The West Indies Cricket Board has offered retainer contracts to 15 players, ahead of the start of the new first-class season.

A release on Thursday said contracts had been offered, mainly, to younger players, in keeping with the objectives of the board's Draft Strategic Plan 2008-2012.

"The board, with the co-operation of the West Indies Players Association (WIPA), is hoping to have the players signed up in time for the start date of the contract, which is due to begin on October 1. Both parties are working assiduously towards meeting this deadline," the release said.

"One of the prime objectives of the WICB's Draft Strategic Plan 2008-2012 is to expand retainer contracts, particularly among younger players, and to ensure that they are better managed at both the territorial and regional level."

Players

The 14 players who are currently retained by the WICB are Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Fidel Edwards, Chris Gayle, Runako Morton, Brenton Parchment, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Darren Sammy, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Smith and Jerome Taylor.