Executives of the Western Counties Cricket Association can expect a grilling tonight from affiliates, one of whom claims they were denied explanations on several issues at a meeting last Wednesday.

At this evening's meeting at Southampton Rangers Club, executives will be asked why there was no financial report provided at the last meeting, why treasurer Johnny Nusum resigned after holding down the position for only a short period last year and why such an important post was not immediately filled.

Willow Cuts outspoken club representative, Keith Lapsley, said yesterday he was not convinced that the association was functioning properly. And, clearly upset, he claimed that last Wednesday's meeting was unable to go ahead because of the lack of sufficient officers, including president Wendell White.

“Things seems to be in a mess in the Western Counties, I'm sorry to say. It's there for everybody to see. We couldn't do nothing at last Wednesday's meeting, there was no financial report and only two executives were there, the vice president and secretary who couldn't say why there was no report,” said Lapsley.

“The president came when it was all over. We are talking about a meeting called for 6.30 p.m. that ended around 8 p.m. because we waited for him. He came saying that he went to cricket training with the national squad, but it's known that the Board sent him a letter saying that his services were no longer required as far as the squad is concerned.”

According to Lapsley, others sat around and attempted to get answers from the remaining executives but received little satisfaction. And the president, he claimed, could add nothing to the discussion when he did show up.

Lapsley noted that despite Willow Cuts' reluctance to go ahead with a draw for this year's competition it was done with others clubs giving their support. But all of the clubs, he claimed, insisted that no other business would be discussed without a financial report.

“As far as I am concerned White sent his two executives to face the fire and that's doesn't look good. Although we didn't want to do anything concerning the draw for this year's round, we were outvoted. But nobody paid their $500 registration fee, not without the financial report to see where all of the money went,” he said.

“At the annual general meeting they have a lot to explain, they have to come up with the financial report and an explanation about the resignation of the treasurer. In the constitution they have to hold a special meeting to replace any executive who resigns and the treasurer is a vital post.

“Now we may have a competition set to begin in two weeks' time and all of this staring us in the face, it doesn't look good.”

When contacted, Nusum confirmed that he was no longer the treasurer and a member, but he refused to give any details surrounding his resignation.

“I resigned early last year, after a couple of games I think, but it was for personal reasons. I have no idea about the financial statement or any current concerns clubs may have, certainly I will not be running again this year,” he said.

White, meanwhile, insisted that the Western Counties were a functional group and he dismissed claims made by Lapsley.

“Don't believe in what he is saying,” said White when told of the criticism by the Willow Cuts representative.

“These people come to one meeting in a year, they don't know what's going on. We will be producing a financial report and a president's report at the AGM. They come to no meetings and when the AGM comes around they try to cause a lot of strife.

“Last week was just a meeting to inform the affiliates about who is going to play in this year's competition and let them know the date and venue of the AGM. I think the Western Counties is functioning well.”

He assured that there was no controversy and wondered why anybody would be attempting make “something out of nothing”.

According to White, the Western Counties have accomplished much in the past year and would continue working with the support of affiliates.

“The reality is that things in the Western Counties are fine, not like what I am hearing. These people don't know the situation, any negativity is just a bunch of hearsay. Under my presidency we have achieved a great number of goals and I would hope that we continue to make progress.”

Asked whether he would run again for president, he replied: “We shall see if I will run. I am very indecisive right now, we will just have to wait and see.”