Bermuda captain Clay Smith has rubbished last week?s ZBM TV and radio reports which suggested national squad players could go on strike because of a pay dispute with Bermuda Cricket Board.

And the BCB have expressed their disappointment with sports reporter Ian Rawlins? story last Thursday evening, the contents of which have been branded by one Board official as a ?complete fabrication?.

As a result of Bermuda?s qualification for the World Cup and Government?s $11 million dollar financial injection over the next four years, Bermuda?s national team players are due to be signed on semi-professional contracts some time in the near future.

Rawlins? report began by suggesting that Bermudian cricket was about to find itself in the same position as Zimbabwe, with some players deeply unhappy with the contractual arrangements currently being put together for them by the BCB.

The controversy-plagued Zimbabwe Cricket Board have just withdrawn their team from all Test match cricket while the players are refusing to play or train because of unpaid wages dating back to last August.

It was also reported on ZBM that some of the players were considering putting together a petition and a list of demands ? while threatening to strike if these were not met.

And it was further suggested that Bermuda?s wicketkeeper-batsman Dean Minors would not be part of the squad heading to Dubai this Thursday because of ?work commitments?.

But the BCB have told that there has never been any doubt about Minors? availability and that the player himself was ?surprised and angry? with the report.

Meanwhile, Clay Smith said: ?We have a players? committee which is responsible for relaying any concerns the players have to the Board. They have met with the Board at least twice in the last month and there are absolutely no problems whatsoever.

?I can assure you that what was reported by ZBM is completely untrue. Our contracts are currently being drawn up and we have had no issues whatsoever with the contracts or the way in which the Board has handled the situation.?

BCB President Reggie Pearman said he also had no knowledge of any player discontent or the existence of any petition.

?I was very disappointed with the contents of the ZBM report,? he said.

?I am not aware of any petition and we have spoken to numerous players? reps who also are not aware of it.

?Right from the beginning of this process we have made every effort to involve the players and keep them informed. As has been reported, we are in the process of drawing up contracts for our national team players which are currently being vetted by our lawyers.

?They will all be well remunerated for their hard work and success and we believe the issue has been handled in as open and transparent way as possible. We believe also that we are on the verge of a financial package for the players which will be to the satisfaction of all.?

Attempts to get a response from ZBM reporter Rawlins were unsuccessful by press time last night.