JOHANNESBURG. Nov 10 (Reuters/ Internet): Ex-South African wicketkeeper Dave Richardson suggested on Tuesday the row which had threatened the West Indies tour could prompt the formation of an international body aimed at looking after players' interests.

Richardson, who now represents the 21 players, contracted to the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA), said: "In this increasingly professional age. players' associations and players' committees are becoming essential in ail Test-playing countries.

"Maybe the time has even come for an international players' association, under the auspices of the ICC. to be set up to ensure some kind of international standard.

"I don't think we can go as far as to have standardised contracts for tours, but guidelines and basic necessities ought to be eqJqfejjAcd.

Bottler international Craig l)1atthe®s. who acted as vicecaptain to Hansie Cronje for two years and was involved in the first negotiations between the UCBSA and the players' committee, believed the crisis stemmed from mistrust.

"Threatened strike action shows the power the players can have although it's an extreme measure and a great shame that it came to that, he said. "Both sides must now work as hard as they can at re-establishing some sort of trust."

Meanwhile, in a column in a Cape Town newspaper on Tuesday. former South African captain and all-rounder Eddie Bar-low. said it was the responsibility of the West Indies Cricket Board to ensure that the players were happy.

"It is generally agreed that West Indies cricketers have always had the short end of the stick." Barlow wrote. The reasons for this are many. Suffice to say that, over the years. West Indies administrators have not pulled their weight.

"It is they who should ensure that the players are adeauately looked after and that financially they are sufficiently sound to meet the many needs of the cricketing business. This they have not done and they must bear the responsibility for this most unfortunate state of affairs."