Long serving Bermuda Cricket Board Of Control secretary Charlotte Simons yesterday flatly denied claims that she and former cricketer Colin Blades had any say in national team selection.

Simons was responding to claims made by one of the Island's senior cricket officials who suggested local players were becoming increasingly disenchanted at the senior national level because of what he described was a breakdown in dialogue between the board and players. He also cited poor administrative decisions and bias toward certain players as some of the reasons for the perennial problem of players refusing to report for national team duty.

Earlier this week BCBC president Reggie Pearman expressed his disapproval towards players who repeatedly failed to turn up for national team training - particularly as the Island is to begin its ICC World Cup preliminary round qualifying campaign in Los Angeles this September.

A similar scenario is also unfolding with the Island's Under-19 national team, who are set to take part in international competition in Canada this July.

Pearman stated that the ongoing saga was creating a "huge headache".

Yesterday, Simons distanced herself from the row while also rushing to Blade's defence.

"Colin Blades has nothing to do with making decisions or appointing captains - absolutely nothing!," she said. "And anybody out there will tell you on the street that I disassociated myself with the senior national team a long time ago, but I'm not resigning!

"Blades is not on this board. He has absolutely nothing to do with selections. He has nothing to do with team decisions, nothing! He is not appointed or even a member of any club so he can't be on the board.

"Whoever's talking doesn't know what they are talking about because we wrote to every single club and let them know who is representing their club in cricket," Simons added.

The BCBC secretary also assured the public that the board will be releasing a statement soon outlining all of the facts concerning team selection.

"We already have players who have signed a document stating their intentions," she said. "Stating whether they want to train or don't want to train, and the clubs all have copies."

Simons also denied that she had a strong influence on national team selection.

"I don't involve myself with any senior national programme. The only thing I do is get a list from Mr. (Mark) Harper (national coach) to write to people. I don't go to any meetings they have; I don't go to any training sessions they have; I don't even know who is or is not turning up for training - we ( the board) will only know that when we meet with the coach to find out.

"Other than that I have disassociated myself with the senior national team. I have left that alone. I don't even get involved. I leave that to the selectors and the coach."

Meanwhile, in a new development, the Royal Gazette learned yesterday that BCBC first vice-president, Keith Wainwright - understood to be disgruntled with the board - recently handed in his resignation.

When contacted yesterday Wainwright confirmed he had decided to resign but refused to elaborate. The Southampton Rangers stalwart had been in office for only one term.