West Indies seamer Javon Searles, Titans owner Chitranjan Rathod and team official Trevon Griffith have been provisionally stood down from all cricket after being charged with multiple breaches of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) and ICC anti-corruption codes linked to the 2023-24 Bim10 in Barbados.
The three men were served charge sheets on 11 March and have 14 days to reply. While the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) is leading the investigation, the offences fall mainly under the CWI code because Bim10 is a domestic competition. An ICC release stressed that “no further comment will be made while disciplinary proceedings are ongoing”.
What the charges say
• Article 2.1.1, CWI code – “fixing, contriving to fix or otherwise influencing improperly… the result, progress, conduct or other aspect of matches” in Bim10.
• Article 2.1.4, CWI code – “soliciting, instructing, encouraging or facilitating” others to break the code.
• Article 2.4.4, CWI code – failure to co-operate with an ACU investigation.
In addition, Searles and Griffith are accused under Article 2.4.2 of not reporting approaches, while Griffith faces an extra count under Article 2.4.7 of the ICC code for allegedly “obstructing the ACU’s investigation… by concealing and/or tampering with information”.
Rathod has three charges, Searles four, and Griffith five (four CWI, one ICC).
Context and previous cases
These allegations are part of a wider inquiry that saw USA batter Aaron Jones charged with five similar breaches in January. No charges have yet been proven, and all individuals retain the right to a full hearing. The ICC reiterated that the suspensions are provisional, not a presumption of guilt.
Player background
Now 32, Searles played for West Indies Under-19s, enjoyed six CPL seasons with Trinbago Knight Riders and made a brief IPL appearance for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2018. Griffith, once a Guyana and Jamaica batter, has worked as a support official in regional leagues. Rathod is better known in business circles, having bought the Titans franchise ahead of the inaugural Bim10 season.
Expert view
Barbadian cricket analyst Mark Arthur told local radio, “It’s disappointing when off-field issues overshadow a promising tournament, but the process must run its course. Quick, transparent hearings help everyone – fans, players and organisers.”
What happens next?
• Written responses due by 25 March.
• An independent tribunal will then decide whether to proceed to a formal hearing.
• Potential sanctions range from reprimands to lifetime bans, depending on the gravity of any proven offence.
Why it matters
T20 leagues have expanded rapidly in the Caribbean, offering opportunities but also exposing players to unsavoury approaches. CWI chief executive Johnny Grave said last year that vigilance is “non-negotiable”, and this case is likely to test those safeguards.
For now, Bim10’s second season remains on the schedule, though organisers privately admit the competition’s credibility is on the line. Fans will be hoping the cricket, not the courtroom, takes centre stage again soon.
