Cricket West Indies has moved to rubbish claims that there is discord within the men’s senior team. The statement from the governing body comes in the wake of comments made by Head Coach Phil Simmons, who rubbished claims that Jamaican allrounder Odean Smith was being victimised.

Smith was dropped for the third T20I on Wednesday and replaced by Rovman Powell, who scored his first T20I hundred as the West Indies took a 2-1 lead in the series.

“We need to stop this foolishness that we are going on with. We sit here and look at the best team for the day and if Odean was not in the best team for the day it’s because we thought Rovman Powell was better suited,” Simmons said while speaking with the media.

Arising from the development, there are reports that representatives from the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) are to meet with the CWI to discuss the matter.

In the meantime, in a statement released late Thursday, CWI said it was aware that “voice notes were circulated on social media, and in sections of the regional broadcast media, suggesting that there is a rift within the West Indies Senior Men’s team.

“Contrary to the unsubstantiated statements, containing unfounded and mischievous allegations, CWI is satisfied that there is no discord between the team captain and any member of the West Indies team.”

CWI President Ricky Skerritt indicated that the rumours represent an unwarranted attack on Captain Kieron Pollard.

“I view this as a malicious attack on the credibility of the West Indies captain, designed to sow division within our team that has just recorded three very impressive T20I performances against very strong opponents, including two outstanding wins and one heroic comeback to get within one run of victory,” Skerritt said.

“This clear attempt by well-known mischief makers to discredit the captain and to derail the team’s momentum in the ongoing Betway T20I Series should not be tolerated or encouraged.”

West Indies lead England 2-1 in the five-match Betway T20 International Series at Kensington Oval in Barbados, the fourth and fifth matches of the series will be played at the same venue on Saturday and Sunday.